Abstract
Morphologically distinct characteristics of strike-slip deformation have not been well documented on Titan due to limited quality and coverage of observational data. However, optimal shear failure conditions may exist within Titan's shallow subsurface due to the inferred presence of a porous ice layer saturated with liquid hydrocarbons. In this study, we examine the proposed Dragonfly landing site on Titan, the Selk crater region, and investigate the area in context of possible tidal shear deformation and strike-slip faulting. For this, we use established methods of previous studies based on the Coulomb failure criterion and numerical model SatStress to calculate diurnal tidal stresses that may act to deform the region. We extracted stresses along one line of latitude (5°N) from 155°-165° E, crossing various identified geologic terrain units, and found that presently, shear failure initiated through diurnal tidal stresses can only occur if pore fluid pressures are intermediate to high (λ > 0.75) and/or the coefficient of friction of the icy crust is low (μf < 0.3). As it is unlikely for these conditions to be present in this area, we can infer that there is currently no shear deformation occurring in the Selk crater region due to diurnal tidal stresses. The results presented here aim to advance our knowledge of structural crustal properties that promote or limit shear failure on Titan on a local scale, and to better inform the exploration of Titan through the Dragonfly mission. To gain new insights and broaden our understanding of icy worlds, it is imperative that we employ the most precise data in our modeling work. Missions like Dragonfly, Europa Clipper and ESA's JUICE will further constrain our modeling approach and can help pinpoint the most interesting locations for lander exploration and possibly for gaining access to the interior ocean of icy moons.
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