The Implications of Flank Vents on Olympus Mons

Flank vents are a common feature on polygenetic volcanoes. They indicate that magma has propagated away from the main conduit and/or magma chamber. Flank vents and flank eruptions have been documented and studied on a number of terrestrial volcanoes and to a lesser degree on Mars. The distribution of volcanic vents about a central caldera can provide information on radial dikes and tectonic stresses acting on the volcano, and can constrain models involving the emplacement and flexure of the edifice (e.g. Nakamura, 1976; McGovern and Solomon, 1993). In the absence of spectral data (due to optically thick dust cover) and in situ observations, morphology is a powerful tool for ascertaining the eruptive and tectonic history of Olympus Mons. Approximately 190 high-resolution CTX (Context Camera) images covering Olympus Mons have been mosaicked together. The analysis of a CTX mosaic reveals Mars’s largest shield volcano in stunning detail and allows for a thorough analysis of the targeted features.

Preliminary results show numerous flank vents some of which produce leveed channels on the slopes of Olympus Mons. Some vents display varying morphologies, suggesting that the style of volcanism has evolved over time. Flank vents are observed to occur over a range of elevations, although a paucity of vents is observed on the lower flank. Analyses are ongoing and include mapping the spatial and elevation distribution of flank vents on the shield. Once mapped, the distribution of flank vents will define the orientation of tectonic stresses acting on Olympus Mons and help determine whether they are influenced by underlying topography, regional scale processes or a combination of both. In addition, these vents act as a window into the subsurface which can help characterize dike emplacement within the shield. Furthermore, the morphology of flank vents will provide information on the evolution of their eruptive styles. All of this information is crucial to help understand the volcanic history of Olympus Mons and similar constructs on Mars.

References

Nakamura, K. (1976) J. Volcanology and Geothermal Res., vol. 2, p. 1-16.

McGovern, P.J. and Solomon, S.C. (1993) J. Geophysical Res., vol. 98, p. 23,553-23,579.