title: Collisionally processed rocks on mars
abstract: The Pathfinder landing site on Mars has boulders that may be cratered (Stimpy), split (Chimp), fragmented (Book End and Flat Top), or otherwise partly destroyed (Yogi and Frog) by collisional processes. Atmospheric-entry calculations show that centimeter-sized projectiles survive passage through the martian atmosphere and encounter the surface of Mars at velocities of a few kilometers per second. Craters less than 1 meter in diameter may contribute to the evolution of the martian surface and its soils.
authors.affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA. Lockheed Martin, 2400 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Horz
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cintala
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Rochelle
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kirk