Longitudinal ridges imparted by high-speed granular flow mechanisms in martian landslides.

ABSTRACT: The presence of longitudinal ridges documented in long runout landslides across our solar system is commonly associated with the existence of a basal layer of ice. However, their development, the link between their occurrence and the emplacement mechanisms of long runout landslides, and the necessity of a basal ice layer remain poorly understood. Here, we analyse the morphometry of longitudinal ridges of a martian landslide and show that the wavelength of the ridges is 2-3 times the average thickness of the landslide deposit, a unique scaling relationship previously reported in ice-free rapid granular flow experiments. We recognize en-echelon features that we interpret as kinematic indicators, congruent with experimentally-measured transverse velocity gradient. We suggest that longitudinal

SUBMITTER: Magnarini G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6813353 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature