Definition
Viscous flow feature (VFF) is “an umbrella term for all glacial-type formations exhibiting evidence of viscous flow” (Souness et al. 2012). VFF is defined (in broad sense) as “primary or secondary lobate features of the material (typically in alcoves), lineations on the surface (both parallel and transverse to the slope on which the material flows), compressional ridges or extensional troughs, ridges at the flow front or base of the slope, or other general evidence that the material flowed around or over obstacles such as craters or mounds” (Milliken et al. 2003). In general, they are elongated flow-like features composed of ice and rock mixture in the middle latitude region of Mars.
Viscous flow refers to viscous or ductile downslope flow (Souness et al. 2011). Subtypes are probably in close interrelationships (Souness et al. 2012).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Baker DMH, Head JW, Marchant DR (2010) Flow patterns of lobate debris aprons and lineated valley fill north of Ismeniae Fossae, Mars: evidence for extensive mid-latitude glaciation in the Late Amazonian. Icarus 207:186–209
Bockheim JG (2014) Distribution, properties and origin of viscous-flow features in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Geomorphology 204:114–122
Gasselt S (2007) Cold-climate landforms on Mars. Free University Berlin, Berlin, PhD thesis
Hubbard B, Milliken RE, Kargel JS, Limaye A, Souness C (2011) Geomorphological characterization and interpretation of a mid-latitude glacier-like form: Hellas Planitia, Mars. Icarus 211:330–346
Marchant DR, Head JW III (2007) Antarctic dry valleys: microclimate zonation, variable geomorphic processes, and implications for assessing climate change on Mars. Icarus 192:187–222
Milliken RE, Mustard JF, Goldsby DL (2003) Viscous flow features on the surface of Mars: observations from high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images. J Geophys Res 108(E6):5057
Plaut JJ, Safaeinili A, Holt JW, Phillips RJ, Head JW III, Seu R, Putzig NE, Frigeri A (2009) Radar evidence for ice in lobate debris aprons in the midnorthern latitudes of Mars. Geophys Res Lett 36:L02203. doi:10.1029/2008GL036379
Schon SC, Head JW, Milliken RE (2009) A recent ice age on Mars: evidence for climate oscillations from regional layering in mid-latitude mantling deposits. Geophys Res Lett 36:L15202. doi:10.1029/2009GL038554
Shean DE, Head JW, Fastook JL, Marchant DR (2007) Recent glaciation at high elevations on Arsia Mons, Mars: implications for the formation and evolution of large tropical mountain glaciers. J Geophys Res 112:e03004. doi:10.1029/2006JE002761
Souness C, Hubbard B (2012) Mid-latitude glaciation on Mars. Prog Phys Geogr. doi:10.1177/0309133312436570, 1–24
Souness CJ, Hubbard B, Quincey DJ, Milliken R (2011) Geographical controls on the distribution of glacier-like forms in Mars’ mid-latitudes: observations from a survey of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter context camera data. 42nd Lunar Planet Sci Conf, abstract #1021, Houston
Souness C, Hubbard B, Milliken RE, Quincey D (2012) An inventory and population-scale analysis of Martian glacier-like forms. Icarus 217:243–255
Squyres SW (1978) Martian fretted terrain: flow of erosional debris. Icarus 34:600–613
Squyres SW (1979) The distribution of lobate debris aprons and similar flows on Mars. J Geophys Res 84(B14):8087–8096
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this entry
Cite this entry
Hargitai, H. (2014). Viscous Flow Features (Mars). In: Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9213-9_596-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9213-9_596-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9213-9
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Earth and Environm. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences