Boundary layer models of hydrothermal circulation on Mars and its relationship to geomorphic features

Abstract

We apply steady state boundary layer theory to single phase, dike‐driven hydrothermal systems beneath the surface of Mars to provide estimates of the heat and liquid water outputs over a range of crustal permeabilities and dike dimensions. Model results yielded a heat output of ∼1.8 × 1019 J/yr and a volumetric fluid flow rate of ∼15 km3/yr for a 1000 km long, 1 km tall dike‐like intrusion injected into crust with a permeability of 10−11 m2. A similar, 10 km tall dike could generate a heat output of ∼5.6 × 1019 J/yr and ∼46 km3/yr of fluid flow. For dike half‐widths of 10 and 100 m, total volume production of fluid ranged between ∼45 and ∼13,800 km3 along one side of the dike over the respective 3 and 300 year half‐dike lifetimes. The calculated fluid flow rates are much less than those estimated for production of the outflow channel system, Athabasca Valles; yet, the total fluid volume produced is of the required magnitude. If fluid could be stored in a near surface reservoir until later episodic release(s), the water volume supplied by one side of a single, 100 m half‐width, 200 km long, and 10 km tall dike emplaced into a region with permeability equal to 10−11 m2 could form the outflow channel. Hydrothermally generated meltwater from an overlying, near surface ice layer was found to contribute significantly to the fluid flow volume for this system.