Theses and Dissertations
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9429-5601
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Crane, Kelsey T
Committee Member
Klimczak, Christian
Committee Member
Padmanava, Dash
Date of Degree
12-8-2023
Original embargo terms
Embargo 1 Year
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Geology
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Department of Geosciences
Abstract
The lithosphere of Mars accommodates shortening through folding and faulting, producing landforms qualitatively categorized as wrinkle ridges or lobate scarps. However, we lack a deep understanding of the morphological differences between these landforms. This study aimed to develop a quantitative model for shortening landform classification based on surface morphology and subsurface architecture. We developed this model by mapping 100 landforms in a GIS, recording parameters for each landform. We conducted a Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) using these morphometrics. This DFA produced a predictive linear function for categorizing wrinkle ridges and lobate scarps. We then modeled the subsurface structural geology of 50 landforms using MOVE Structural Geology Modeling Software and conducted a second DFA on subsurface metrics. These analyses revealed the three most important variables when classifying shortening structures. Our results show that by using the surface morphology and subsurface geometry together, they can be distinguished quantitatively 96% of the time.
Recommended Citation
McCullough, Leta, "Morphological and structural characterization of shortening landforms on Mars" (2023). Theses and Dissertations. 6025.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/6025