Recent Volcanic and Fluvial Activity in the Cerberus Fossae/Athabasca Valles Region?

Abstract

In a number of recent publications (e.g., Burr et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. 29/1, 2002), volcanic and fluvial activity was suggested to have shaped the Athabasca Valles, a system of outflow channels originating in the volcano-tectonic fissures of Cerberus Fossae. The fissures have also been the source for lava flows, and lava flows in the Cerberus Plains, surrounding Cerberus Rupes, have been dated as young as a few Ma (Hartmann and Berman, J. Geophys. Res. 105(E6), 2000). Since the channels are partly covered by a thin veneer of these flood lavas only, Burr et al. (2002) came to the conclusion that the water carving the flood channels must also have been released recently. We present new crater counts and refined model ages for the lavas and channels in the Cerberus plains. Our results are based on high-resolution MOC narrow angle images, showing morphological features in great detail, but extremely limited areal extent, and on Viking Orbiter and MOC wide angle images with lower spatial resolution but larger regional coverage, providing the necessary geomorphological context.