PowerPoint on Mars geology for an introductory geology course.

1. Mars
Orbit: 687 earth days
Rotation: 24.5 hours
Surface T: -1400 C (polar winter) to 200 C (equator)
Atmosphere: 96% CO2

4. Mars Orbiters
Global Surveyor
Mars Climate Orbiter
Mars Observer
Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter (MRO)
Nozomi
(Japan)

5. Mars Landers/Rovers
Sojourner
Viking
Spirit & Opportunity
Phoenix Lander

9. Volcanoes
Volcanoes are
widely distributed
across the surface of
Mars. Composite,
shield, and calderatype volcanoes are
all common.

10. Shield Volcanoes

11. Olympus Mons
Olympus Mons is the
tallest volcano on
Mars, with a base
that would cover the
state of Utah.

12. Calderas

14. Collapsed Lava Tubes

15. Rift Basins

16. Valles Marinaris

17. Thrust Belts

18. Evidence for Hydrologic
System
Evidence is abundant for a significant hydrologic system in the pa
• Drainage networks
• Headward erosion
• Springs
• Concretions
• Karst
• Braided and meandering fluvial systems
• Cross-bedding
• Alluvial fans
• Deltas
• Eolian dunes
• Glaciers
• Patterned ground
• Mass wasting
• Ocean basins
• Oxidized sediment

19. Drainage Networks
Well-developed dendritic drainage networks are widespread on M

21. Headward Erosion

23. Sapping (springs)

24. Concretions

25. Karst

26. Braided River Deposits

27. Meandering River Deposits

28. Entrenched Meanders

30. Cross-bedding

32. Alluvial Fans

34. Deltas

35. Bajadas

36. Eolian Systems
The Martian atmosphere is thin but very active, resulting in welldeveloped eolian systems, including barchan, barchanoid,
transverse, longitudinal, and star forms.

37. Barchan Dunes

38. Barchanoid Dunes

39. Transverse Dunes

40. Longitudinal Dunes

41. Star Dunes

42. Dust
Devil
Tracks

43. Mass Wasting
Mass-wasting, in the form of falls, slumps, and flows are all
common on the surface of Mars.

44. Rock Falls/Avalanches

46. Slump
s

48. Mud Flows

51. Ocean Basins

53. Glaciers

54. Patterned
Ground

55. Weathering

56. Geologic Map

57. Geologic Time Scale

58. What is it?

59. “Enhanced”
Image

60. New Interpretation