Theme: Extraterrestrial landslide

What is the origin of the large Isidis Planitia, on Mars?

The characterization of an impact crater requires an understanding of the impact phenomena, considering the properties of the materials involved in the impact. The size and energy of the projectile control the width and depth of the crater. Related to impact craters is the formation of mass concentrations, or mascons, which produce intense positive gravity anomalies. One of the largest mascons is in the Isidis Planitia, Mars. Using the ...

Landslides in the Solar System

On Earth, landslides are hazardous phenomena often associated with economic damage and loss of human lives. The most common natural triggers of terrestrial landslides are intense or prolonged rainfall, earthquakes, rapid snow melting, and volcanic activity. But what are the main natural triggers of landslides on other solid bodies of the Solar System? Since the early 70’s of the last century, landslides were observed on the surface of the ...

Extraterrestrial landslides

ExtraterrestrialLandslides_Figura1_20150108 Landslides play an important role in the evolution of landscapes on Earth and on other solid planets of the Solar System. Surface gravity is the main factor driving landslides in solid planets. On Earth, landslides have been recognized in all continents, and in subaerial and submarine environments. The spatial and temporal range of the observed slope failures is extremely large on Earth. We are conducting a systematic mapping of landslides in ...