Calderas on Mars: characteristics, structure, and associated flank deformation

Abstract

Abstract Calderas and flank structures of martian volcanoes yield insight into general questions of volcano structural evolution and the underlying magma chambers in an environment where erosion is minimal. We have documented, through detailed geological mapping, the structures, associated volcanological features, and the stratigraphical relationships between the flank structures and caldera events during the building of each martian edifice. Two fundamentally different types of calderas are identified on Mars (the Olympus type and the Arsia type) that may represent end member variations in the size and depth of magma chambers. Many of the flank structures adjacent to caldera rims are consistent with the predicted effects of magma chamber inflation as well as deflation that exert significant influences in the structural development of many volcanoes. Large-scale terracing and steepening of the upper flanks of the larger martian volcanoes may originate from magma chamber inflation and radial thrusting. Thus the endogenous component of volcano growth resulting from accumulated magma chamber growth may be significant. Many of the deepest calderas are associated with evidence for voluminous eruptions elsewhere on the flanks and along through-going fissures and appear to result largely from evacuation and deflation of magma chambers without extensive precursor inflation. Draining of the magma chamber in these cases may be aided by the lateral propagation of magma in the form of shallow dykes up to several hundred kilometres in length and the associated formation of linear fissures. Nested caldera sequences, related flank pits, large-scale slumping, terracing, and sector structure are frequently arranged in linear patterns and are part of through-going eruptive lines or fissures several hundred kilometres in length that characterize several martian shield volcanoes. Fissures this long are interpreted to be dykes propagated outward from shallow magma chambers that have followed a minimum regional stress orientation. Comparison of the observed shape and orientation of caldera structures with orientation and style of flank deformation, and with the predictions from theory, indicate that regional stresses have probably been an important influence on the caldera and flank structures of martian volcanoes. The minimum regional stress orientation may be controlled largely by regional slopes associated with the Tharsis region and Elysium regions, and, in the case of Tyrrhena Patera, pre-existing radial fractures associated with the Hellas basin.