Project Info
Extraterrestrial fluvial fans
Piret Plink-Bjorklund | pplink@mines.edu
Fluvial fans are extensive fan-shaped accumulations built by river avulsions. They are common on the Earth surface and have also been recognized on Saturn’s moon Titan and on Mars. Recognition of extraterrestrial fluvial fans and their distinction from deltas is essential for assessing the presence of paleo-oceans, paleo-climate conditions and the planetary body’s potential for supporting life. This project will document fluvial fans on Mars and develop criteria for how to recognize them.
More Information
https://www.mines.edu/sedimentology/
Bramble, M.S., Goudge, T.A., Milliken, R.E., and Mustard, J.F., 2019, Testing the deltaic origin of fan deposits at Bradbury Crater, Mars: Icarus, v. 319, p. 363–366, doi: 10.1016/J.ICARUS.2018.09.024.
Radebaugh, J., Ventra, D., Lorenz, R.D., Farr, T., Kirk, R., Hayes, A., Malaska, M.J., Birch, S., Liu, Z.Y.-C., Lunine, J., Barnes, J., Le Gall, A., Lopes, R., Stofan, E., et al., 2018, Alluvial and fluvial fans on Saturn’s moon Titan reveal processes, materials and regional geology: Geological Society, London, Special Publications, v. 440, p. 281–305, doi: 10.1144/SP440.6.
Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable
Student Preparation
Qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated geology or geophysics student who is interested interested in sedimentology, climatology, or planetary geology and has experience in working with (or is willing to learning to work with) orbital imagery, HiRISE images, DEMs, and various other satellite spectrometer data.
Time Commitment
Flexible.
Skills/Techniques Gained
Interpretation of orbital imagery, HiRISE images, DEMs, and various other satellite spectrometer data
sedimentological and climatological understanding of fluvial fans and why rivers form them.
Mentoring Plan
The student will work closely with a PhD student as well as with the faculty advisor. The project is closely related to a PhD project. We will teach the student appropriate methodology as well as provide background reading. We will have regular (weakly or bi-weakly) meetings to ensure progress, and the student will be incorporated into our research group. We will encourage the student to disseminate the results on a national meeting, as well as to author or co-author a publication.