The martian hemispheric dichotomy may be due to a giant impact

Abstract

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Of the two approximately hemispherical, fundamentally different geological provinces into which Mars is divided, the more southerly province is heavily cratered, while the northern is lightly cratered and contains younger geological units. Lowlands occupy about one-third of Mars, and these are separated from the highlands by a distinct scarp or by a sloping transitional zone which is characterized by a variety of landforms that are unknown on other planets. It is presently proposed that the largest expanse of lowlands is substantially due to the formation of a large impact basin early in the planet's history, which has markedly influenced the character of the Martian surface.

Publication:

Nature

Pub Date:

May 1984

DOI:

10.1038/309138a0

Bibcode:

1984Natur.309..138W

Keywords:

• Mars (Planet);
• Mars Craters;
• Mars Surface;
• Planetary Geology;
• Geochemistry;
• Highlands;
• Mars Photographs;
• Mars Volcanoes;
• Planetary Evolution;
• Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Mars;
• MARS;
• IMPACTS;
• MAPS;
• GEOLOGY;
• REGIONS;
• CRATERS;
• SURFACE;
• COMPARISONS;
• PLAINS;
• VOLCANOES;
• LOWLANDS;
• HIGHLANDS;
• GEOLOGIC FEATURES;
• TERRAIN;
• TOPOGRAPHY;
• DESCRIPTION;
• LITHOSPHERE;
• BASINS;
• MORPHOLOGY;
• HISTORY;
• MARS (PLANET);
• MARS CRATERS;
• MARS SURFACE;
• PLANETARY GEOLOGY;
• GEOCHEMISTRY;
• HIGHLANDS;
• MARS PHOTOGRAPHS;
• MARS VOLCANOES;
• PLANETARY EVOLUTION;
• MARS;
• IMPACTS;
• MAPS;
• GEOLOGY;
• REGIONS;
• CRATERS;
• SURFACE;
• COMPARISONS;
• PLAINS;
• VOLCANOES;
• LOWLANDS;
• HIGHLANDS;
• GEOLOGIC FEATURES;
• TERRAIN;
• TOPOGRAPHY;
• DESCRIPTION;
• LITHOSPHERE;
• BASINS;
• MORPHOLOGY;
• HISTORY