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Chapter 7: Problem 37

Suppose Mars Global Surveyor had discovered magnetized regions in the lowlands of Mars. How would this discovery have affected our understanding of the evolution of the Martian interior?

Short Answer

Expert verified
If magnetized regions were discovered in the Martian lowlands, it would suggest that these areas were formed when Mars still had a global magnetic field, indicating an active geodynamo in its core at the time. This would provide new insights into the timeline of Martian geological history and evolution of its core.

Step by step solution

01

Review Concept of Magnetized Regions

Take a quick dive into what magnetization in planetary geology involves. Establish the fact that magnetization occurs when magnetic minerals in rocks align themselves with the Earth's magnetic field during rock formation. This preserves a record of the Earth's magnetic field at the time of the rock formation. A similar principle can be applied to other planets, including Mars.
02

Probe into Martian History

Inquire into the geological history of Mars, focusing specifically on the information about its magnetic field. Mars does not currently have a global magnetic field, which implies that its core lacks the geodynamos that generate a magnetic field. However, Mars did have a magnetic field in the past, implying that it has magnetized rocks that could still retain the magnetic signature.
03

Evaluate Implications of Discovery

If magnetized rocks were found in the Martian lowlands, this would suggest a significant event in the planet's history. Given that magnetic signatures are preserved during rock formation, the lowlands' magnetization could suggest that they were formed during a period when Mars had an active magnetic field. This new information would directly impact our understanding of the planet's geological timeline and the evolution of its core.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

There are no asteroids with an atmosphere. Discuss why not.

Use the Starry Night Enthusiast TM program to examine magnified images of the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars and the asteroid Ceres. In the Favourites menu, under the Solar System submenu, select the desired planet. This will place you in the position of an astronaut orbiting above the surface of the planet. The astronaut's spacesuit and feet are shown in the foreground in this view but can be removed by clicking on View \(>\) Feet. To show the planet as we see it from Earth, we need to show its atmosphere. Select Solar System > Planets-Moons... in the Options menu. In the PlanetsMoons Options dialog that pops up, click on the Show atmosphere checkbox to turn this option on and then click the OK button. The mouse icon will change to the location scroller when moved over the planet. You can use this scroller to rotate the image to see different views of the planet. This is equivalent to flying around the planet at a fixed distance. Follow the above steps to examine each planet and asteroid from different viewpoints and describe each planet's appearance. From what you observe in each case, is there any way of knowing whether you are looking at a planet's surface or at complete cloud cover over the planet? Which planet or planets have clouds? Which planet or asteroid shows the heaviest cratering? Which of these planets show evidence of liquid water?

How does the size of a terrestrial planet influence the amount of cratering on the planet's surface?

What is the connection between comets and the Kuiper belt? Between comets and the Oort cloud?

. In what ways is Pluto similar to a terrestrial planet? In what ways is it different?
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