Drainage systems developed by sapping on Earth and Mars

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1982 Drainage systems developed by sapping on Earth and Mars Charles G. Higgins Charles G. Higgins 1Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Charles G. Higgins 1Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1982) 10 (3): 147–152. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<147:DSDBSO>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Charles G. Higgins; Drainage systems developed by sapping on Earth and Mars. Geology 1982;; 10 (3): 147–152. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1982)10<147:DSDBSO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract During falling tides the foreshores of many beaches develop steep-headed incised drainageways that resemble and may be analogous to some larger scale drainage systems of both Earth and Mars. The beach systems are formed entirely by groundwater outflow and sapping where the water table intersects the beach face. At this intersection outflow dilates the sand and moves surface grains outward into the runoff. This forms gully heads, which then advance headward up the slope in directions largely controlled by directional permeability. Activity ceases when the water table falls below the level of the gully heads.Rather extensive, though miniature, angulate-dendritic drainage systems can result from this process, but sapping has rarely been recognized as a major factor in the formation of larger scale drainage systems on Earth. On Mars, however, the analogy of the beach models may help explain the origin of some large valleys as a result of sapping by outflow of groundwater derived from thawed ground ice. Such relict effects of sapping may be recognizable on Mars because they have not been obscured by surface processes, as they tend to be on Earth. Re-evaluation of many terrestrial fluvial systems may reveal that sapping has been a common and important valley-forming process here too. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.