Cracks in Martian boulders exhibit preferred orientations that point to solar-induced thermal stress

Martha-Cary Eppes (), Andrew Willis, Jamie Molaro, Stephen Abernathy and Beibei Zhou
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Martha-Cary Eppes: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Andrew Willis: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jamie Molaro: Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
Stephen Abernathy: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Beibei Zhou: University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The origins of fractures in Martian boulders are unknown. Here, using Mars Exploration Rover 3D data products, we obtain orientation measurements for 1,857 cracks visible in 1,573 rocks along the Spirit traverse and find that Mars rock cracks are oriented in statistically preferred directions similar to those compiled herein for Earth rock cracks found in mid-latitude deserts. We suggest that Martian directional cracking occurs due to the preferential propagation of microfractures favourably oriented with respect to repeating geometries of diurnal peaks in sun-induced thermal stresses. A numerical model modified here with Mars parameters supports this hypothesis both with respect to the overall magnitude of stresses as well as to the times of day at which the stresses peak. These data provide the first direct field and numerical evidence that insolation-related thermal stress potentially plays a principle role in cracking rocks on portions of the Martian surface.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7712

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