A novel surface energy balance method for thermal inertia studies of terrestrial analogs

Earth and Space Science
By: , and 

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Abstract

Surface thermal inertia derived from satellite imagery offers a valuable tool for remotely mapping the physical structure and water content of planetary regolith. Efforts to quantify thermal inertia using surface temperatures on Earth, however, have consistently yielded large uncertainties and suffered from a lack of reproducibility. Unlike dry or airless bodies, Earth's abundant water and dense atmosphere lead to dynamic thermophysical conditions that are a greater challenge to model than on a world like Mars. In this work, an approach was developed using field experiments to inform and fine-tune a thermophysical model of terrestrial sediment and calculate an inherent thermal inertia value with higher precision and less initial knowledge of the sediment than has previously been achieved remotely on Earth. A thermal inertia derived for a basaltic tephra site in Northern Arizona was replicated within 1% between different field seasons, demonstrating reproducibility. Model-derived values were validated in situ by two different thermophysical field probes to within 8% of the measured mean values. Analog studies such as this hold the promise of improved interpretations of surface materials on Mars, and an accurate thermal model for Earth is the key step to enabling translation between the two worlds.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title A novel surface energy balance method for thermal inertia studies of terrestrial analogs
Series title Earth and Space Science
DOI 10.1029/2023EA003259
Volume 11
Issue 9
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
Description e2023EA003259, 28 p.
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