Effects of deglaciation on glaciovolcanism on Mars

Exploring the origin of tuyas in the Martian South Polar Region

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

J.L. Wiese Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

W. van der Wal Physical and Space Geodesy - CEG (supervisor 1)
S.J. de Vet Astrodynamics & Space Missions - Aerospace Engineering (supervisor 1)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2021 Joana Wiese
Mars Decompression rate Glaciovolcanism Mantle melt Tuya
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Published Date

22-11-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

It has been shown that glacially induced decompression rates under Vatnajökull cause an increase in mantle melt and enhancement in volcanic activity. Eruptions under ice can form tuyas, that can be used to constrain past ice sheet thickness. Several mountains in the Martian South Polar Region qualify as tuyas, but their exact origin is still unknown. In this study we reconstruct a palaeo ice sheet from the height and spatial distribution of these tuyas and study glacially induced decompression rates within the Martian mantle.
In a finite element model we use the reconstructed ice sheet to constrain the surface pressure load and test different lithosphere thicknesses and linear deglaciation periods. We find a general decrease in decompression rates over depth and time. Results show that a decompression rate equal to the one induced by present-day deglaciation of Vatnajökull occurs at a lower depth inside the Martian mantle. Given that the mantle temperature is close to the solidus at this depth and magma ascent velocity is sufficiently high, mantle unloading due to ice melt could have contributed to the formation of the tuyas in the Martian South Polar Region. Our study proposes present-day deglaciation of Vatnajökull as a potential analogue for processes related to deglaciation on Mars.