Post on 14-Jun-2015
Plate Tectonics:Ice-Quake Mapping of Titan
James Kuhn, Caralee Starling, Mikenna Smith
Credentials
Caralee Starling, Ph. DDoctorate of Geology, Post-Doctorate of
SeismologyProfessor of Earth Sciences at Princeton University
James Kuhn, Ph. DDoctorate of Aerospace EngineeringNASA Head Aerospace Engineer on the Cassini
mission and Huygen rover
Mikenna Smith, Ph. DDoctorate of Analytical ChemistryNASA Analyst of extraterrestrial atmospheric
compositions
Background
Earth’s Plate Tectonics:Promote high levels of global biodiversity
Geological features create environmental complexity and stimulate speciation
Affect global climate Recycle mineral and chemical compounds in
sedimentary rock and release of greenhouse gases via volcanic eruption
Aid in the generation of magnetic field Evacuate heat released by convection cells in the
liquid iron core that originate from Earth’s rotation
Background
Titan:Geological surface features
Appalachian-sized mountain chains, highest peak 6,600 feet
Possible ice volcano Sotra Facula
Atmosphere 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrocarbons Possibly replenished by volcanic eruption
Surface liquid Liquid hydrocarbon rivers and lakes
Possible subsurface ocean Theorized to exist 62 miles below surface, separating it
from the core and allowing the crust to move
Sotra Facula
Reflection from Titan Lake
Mountain Chains
Aims
Find evidence for plate tectonics by looking for: Ridge movement around Sotra Facula
The placement and depth of possible ice-quakes
Stratigraphy suggesting unconformity in the sediment
Historical atmospheric composition (stability)
Aim and Experiment I
To determine if Sotra Facula is on a divergent plate boundary Four rovers will be sent to Titan and
situated around the theorized ice volcano, Sotra Facula
Rovers will be stationary and remote signal between each rover to determine if the distance between any of them increases over the span of the mission
Aim and Experiment II
To record the location and depth of possible ice-quakesFour rovers will be equipped with
seismographs to record the theorized seismic activity resulting from ice-quakes to map out the plate boundaries
Aim and Experiment III
To search for evidence of geological disruption around Sotra Facula by examining the stratigraphy of the drill coresThe drill cores will be imaged to analyze
the strata of ice layers. Angular unconformities will indicate plate tectonics
Aim and Experiment IV
To examine Titan’s historic atmospheric compositionIn addition, the rovers will be equipped
with a gas chromatograph Ice-cores will be drilled around Sotra
Facula and air trapped in the ice-cores will be analyzed with the gas chromatograph to evaluate past atmospheric conditions
Significance
Importance of plate tectonics on Earth
• Prerequisite for life
Opportunity to look at other conditions of plate tectonics
Titan is the best candidate for such plate tectonics in our solar system
References Ward P, Brownlee D. The Surprising Importance of Plate Tectonics. In: Rare Earth:
Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe. New York: Copernicus Books. 2000. p.191-220.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Cassini Spacecraft Images Seas on Saturn’s Moon Titan; 2007 [cited April 2011]; [About 10 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Raisin’ Mountains on Saturn’s Moon Titan; 2010 [cited April 2011]; [About 12 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Surprise Hidden on Titan’s Smog: Circus-Like Clouds; 2011 [cited April 2011]; [About 33 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: NASA Confirms Liquid Lake on Saturn Moon; 2008 [cited April 2011]; [About 10 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Cassini Spacecraft Finds Ocean May Exist Beneath Titan’s Crust; 2008 [cited April 2011]; [About 9 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: New Theory: Titan Shaped by Weathering, Not Ice Volcanoes; 2011 [cited April 2011]; [About 13 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Saturn’s Moon Titan: Planet Wannabe; 2004 [cited April 2011]; [About 25 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/.
Images retrieved from NASA
Questions?
Thank you for your time.