The Geophysical Study Of An Earth Impact Crater As An Analogue For Studying Martian Impact Craters

Wynn, Louise
Held, Jason
Kereszturi, Akos
Judd, Reed

In: On To Mars 2, edited by Zubrin, RM, and Crossman, F. Collector's Guide Publishing Inc. (2004)

Devon Island's Haughton meteorite impact crater is a focus of Mars analog research because of its similarity to impact craters on Mars. However, its size (20 km diameter) and age (about 23 my) make close-up geologic examination in a limited field season difficult because of erosion of the wall surface as well as backfall from the original impact, which has substantially re-filled the crater. We hoped to confirm previous work at Haughton and similar craters using handheld geophysical instruments to show the validity and practicality of this type of research in the initial exploration of Mars. Our research achieved that objective and additionally modeled a possible way to collate the results of several data-mapping methods to draw inferences about the approach and angle of Haughton and other impact objects.

Keywords

Analog Mars Research and Research Stations