New perspectives on ancient Mars.
Mars was most active during its first billion years. The core, mantle, and crust formed within approximately 50 million years of solar system formation. A magnetic dynamo in a convecting fluid core magnetized the crust, and the global field shielded a more massive early atmosphere against solar wind stripping. The Tharsis province became a focus for volcanism, deformation, and outgassing of water and carbon dioxide in quantities possibly sufficient to induce episodes of climate warming. Surficial and near-surface water contributed to regionally extensive erosion, sediment transport, and chemical alteration. Deep hydrothermal circulation accelerated crustal cooling, preserved variations in crustal thickness, and modified patterns of crustal magnetization.
Solomon
Sean C
SC
Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015, USA. scs@dtm.ciw.edu
Aharonson
Oded
O
Aurnou
Jonathan M
JM
Banerdt
W Bruce
WB
Carr
Michael H
MH
Dombard
Andrew J
AJ
Frey
Herbert V
HV
Golombek
Matthew P
MP
Hauck
Steven A
SA
Head
James W
JW
Jakosky
Bruce M
BM
Johnson
Catherine L
CL
McGovern
Patrick J
PJ
Neumann
Gregory A
GA
Phillips
Roger J
RJ
Smith
David E
DE
Zuber
Maria T
MT
D001272:Atmosphere; D002980:Climate; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D008280:Magnetics; D018535:Mars; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
D014867:Water