Exploring the Spatial Patterns of Delta Morphodynamics on Mars and Titan

Abstract:

The discovery of extraterrestrial river deltas has inspired questions about their (in some cases extinct) surface processes. Here, we extend our knowledge of extraterrestrial deltas by exploring the spatial and temporal patterns of morphodynamic metrics collected for 77 deltas on Mars and 11 deltas on Titan. We base our analysis on two metrics that capture the first-order delta morphodynamics on Earth: downstream variation in channel width and fluid discharge. We use these metrics on observed deltas on Mars and Titan to quantitatively interpret environmental conditions that formed them. We expect that environmental conditions vary depending on the would change with age of the deposit on Mars, following the long history of hydrologic changes on the planet. These reconstructions based on the spatial and temporal variability of delta morphologies on Mars and Titan will help us understand how surface processes have evolved on these planetary bodies. They also have the potential to further inform our understanding of river delta morphodynamics more broadly.