A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region

Geophysical Research Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

A geomorphologic map is an important step to understanding the geologic context and history of a site; here, we present an initial geomorphologic map for an area spanning 22°–26°N, 108°–112°E in the Utopia Planitia (UP) region on Mars. This site is of special interest because it contains the May 2021 landing site of the Zhurong rover from Tianwen-1. Utopia Planitia exhibits many lobate features that have been proposed to be lava or mud flows. Lander and rover data should help solve the scientific question concerning the origin of UP flows. We use our map to generate an initial stratigraphic framework of geomorphological features in order to help place future Zhurong data into the regional geologic context. Our mapping effort has detailed the distribution of three geomorphologic units and 11 types of surface features.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A preliminary regional geomorphologic map in Utopia Planitia of the Tianwen-1 Zhurong Landing Region
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2021GL094629
Volume 48
Issue 18
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
Description e2021GL094629, 10 p.
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