A large landslide on Mars

Research Article| November 01, 1978 A large landslide on Mars B. K. LUCCHITTA B. K. LUCCHITTA 1U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division, Branch of Astrogeologic Studies, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information B. K. LUCCHITTA 1U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Division, Branch of Astrogeologic Studies, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1978) 89 (11): 1601–1609. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89<1601:ALLOM>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation B. K. LUCCHITTA; A large landslide on Mars. GSA Bulletin 1978;; 89 (11): 1601–1609. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1978)89<1601:ALLOM>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract A large landslide deposit on the south wall of Gangis Chasma contains at least 100 billion m3 of material that moved 60 km across the trough floor at a speed of more than 100 km/hr. The deposit consists of slump blocks at the head, hummocky material farther out, and a vast apron of longitudinally ridged material extending to the toe. The landslide deposit resembles many terrestrial ones but is much larger, and differs from most in having longitudinal rather than transverse ridges on its surface. However, some terrestrial landslides also have longitudinal ridges, particularly those in Alaska that traveled long distances over glacial ice and thus were highly efficient. In order to explain this high efficiency, two possible mechanisms of emplacement are singled out. The first involves a sliding motion on a cushion of air; on Mars, this implies a once much denser atmosphere, or the release of a gas, possibly steam. The second mechanism involves a flow motion of debris that is lubricated by some water; on Mars, the water may have come from ice in the source rock. An analysis of the possible causes for the Martian slide shows that the Martian trough walls are highly susceptible to sliding, and that the landslide may have been triggered by a Mars quake. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.