Geologic mapping of the Ac-11 Sintana quadrangle: Assessing diverse crater morphologies

Abstract

A geologic map at a scale of 1:1,000,000 of the Ac-11 Sintana quadrangle (21–66°S and 0–90°E) from the dwarf planet Ceres and based on data from NASA's Dawn spacecraft, was produced as part of a geologic mapping campaign in order to investigate the surface structure, stratigraphy, composition and surface modifying processes. The Sintana quadrangle is geologically dominated by cratered terrain with morphologically distinct crater types. The most prominent craters, Sintana, Hamori, Jarimba, Tupo, Annona and Darzamat, have complex structures including smooth crater material covering their floors, collapsed crater walls forming terraces, and central ridges. Multiple gravity-driven blocky mass wasting features indicate post-impact crater modification and are indicative of an ice-rich subsurface, in which there is no topographic or structural evidence of endogenic activity visible in the quadrangle. Absolute age estimates suggest that the entire surface in the quadrangle was resurfaced ∼1.1 Ga ago, possibly by Kerwan-related impact-induced melting.