1979/12/30 by Donald U. Wise, M. P. Golombek, G. E. McGill · 150 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils #Astro and Planetary Science #Tharsis #Geology #Mars Exploration Program #Martian #Impact crater #Hesperian #Lithosphere #Tectonics #Crust #Noachian #Geophysics #Plate tectonics #Astrobiology #Paleontology
paper · doi:10.1029/jb084ib14p07934
published in Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres 84(B14), 7934-7939 (American Geophysical Union)
openalex publication_date 1979/12/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Any model for the tectonic evolution of Mars must account for two major crustal elements: the Tharsis bulge and the topographically low and lightly cratered northern third of the planet. Ages determined by crater density indicate that both of these elements came into existence very early in Martian history, a conclusion that holds no matter which of the current crater density versus age curves is used. The size of these two major crustal elements and their sequential development suggest that both may be related to a global‐scale internal process. It is proposed that the resurfacing of the northern third of Mars is related to subcrustal erosion and isostatic foundering during the life of a first‐order convection cell. With the demise of the cell, denser segregations of metallic materials began to coalesce as a gravitatively unstable layer which finally overturned to form the core. In the overturn, lighter crustal material was shifted laterally and underplated beneath Tharsis to cause rapid and permanent isostatic rise. This was followed by a long‐lived thermal phase produced by the hot underplate and by the gravitative energy of core formation slowly making its way to the surface to produce the Tharsis volcanics.