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Ronald Greeley

Publications and source records attributed to Ronald Greeley.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Geologic map of the eastern equatorial region of Mars

The M ariner 9 mission in the early 1970’s provided the first comprehensive view of the geology of Mars (McCauley and others, 1972, Masursky , 1973) and led to the derivation of the first global geologic map ( Carr and others, 19 73). These preliminary studies were followed by more comprehensive mapping coordinated with the U.S. Geological Survey. Thirty quadrangles at a scale of 1:5 , 0 00,000 were produced in this map series, from which Scott and Carr (1978) compiled a single geologic map at a scale of 1:25,000,000. The reliability of these maps, however, is varied because of the uneven quality of the Mariner 9 data.

IMAP

North polar region of Mars: Imaging results from Viking 2

During October 1976, the Viking 2 orbiter acquired approximately 700 high-resolution images of the north polar region of Mars. These images confirm the existence at the north pole of extensive layered deposits largely covered over with deposits of perennial ice. An unconformity within the layered deposits suggests a complex history of climate change during their time of deposition. A pole-girdling accumulation of dunes composed of very dark materials is revealed for the first time by the Viking cameras. The entire region is devoid of fresh impact craters. Rapid rates of erosion or deposition are implied. A scenario for polar geological evolution, involving two types of climate change, is proposed.

Science