2000/03/10 by M. T. Zuber, Sean C. Solomon, R. J. Phillips +12 · 584 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Astro and Planetary Science #Space Exploration and Technology #Tharsis #Geology #Mars Exploration Program #Martian #Crust #Lithosphere #Northern Hemisphere #Mantle (geology) #Earth science #Geophysics #Paleontology #Astrobiology #Tectonics #Climatology
paper · doi:10.1126/science.287.5459.1788
published in Science 287(5459), 1788-1793 (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
openalex publication_date 2000/03/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Topography and gravity measured by the Mars Global Surveyor have enabled determination of the global crust and upper mantle structure of Mars. The planet displays two distinct crustal zones that do not correlate globally with the geologic dichotomy: a region of crust that thins progressively from south to north and encompasses much of the southern highlands and Tharsis province and a region of approximately uniform crustal thickness that includes the northern lowlands and Arabia Terra. The strength of the lithosphere beneath the ancient southern highlands suggests that the northern hemisphere was a locus of high heat flow early in martian history. The thickness of the elastic lithosphere increases with time of loading in the northern plains and Tharsis. The northern lowlands contain structures interpreted as large buried channels that are consistent with northward transport of water and sediment to the lowlands before the end of northern hemisphere resurfacing.