[meteorite-list] Microsymposium 43: The Martian Time Scale - Craters, Meteorites, Processes and Stratigraphy

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sat Dec 31 22:46:46 2005
Message-ID: <200601010345.k013jBR05189_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.planetary.brown.edu/html_pages/micro43.htm

Brown University-Vernadsky Institute
Microsymposium 43: "The Martian Time Scale:
Craters, Meteorites, Processes and Stratigraphy"
March 11-12, 2006
The Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, Texas

In the year 2000 the International Space Science Institute held a
workshop on the "Chronology and Evolution of Mars". From this meeting a
new view of impact cratering chronology and age-dating of martian
meteorites (SNCs) emerged [1]. Continuing analysis of new spacecraft
data (MGS, MO, MER, MEX) has provided the information necessary to
extend and assess this chronology to a host of geological units and
environments. Images from orbit and the surface have revealed the
significant role of exhumation in the geological evolution of surfaces.
New insights concerning impact fluxes and the influence of secondary
cratering processes in impact cratering chronology are emerging.
Finally, new analyses of SNC meteorites [2] and their context have
raised fundamental questions about the interpretation of the absolute
chronologic basis of the time scale.

For these reasons, the Microsymposium 43 workshop "The Martian Time
Scale: Craters, Meteorites, Processes and Stratigraphy" will focus on
the discussion of several of these major issues. Each discussion topic
will be prefaced by a presentation from an expert in the field, followed
by ample time for discussion of the issues. The purpose of the workshop
will be to 1) identify the most fundamental unknowns associated with our
knowledge of the martian time scale and 2) outline the ways in which we
might resolve these questions (new observations, experiments, laboratory
analyses, etc.). A product of the Microsymposium will be a written
assessment of these points. Among the fundamental questions to be
addressed will be:

1) What new developments in Mars cratering chronology have occurred
since the ISSI Conference? (Bill Hartmann: PSI)

2) What are the real crystallization ages of the SNC meteorites and what
role does alteration play? (Larry Nyquist: NASA JSC)

3) What new insights do we have about Mars cratering chronology from new
flux estimates and a better understanding of the impact cratering
process? (Boris Ivanov: RAS)

4) What do the new image data tell us about Mars cratering chronology
and the major phases of geological activity on Mars? (Gerhard Neukum and
Stephanie Werner: Freie Universitaet Berlin)

5) What are the implications of new data on the influence of secondary
cratering for Mars cratering chronology? (Alfred McEwen: University of
Arizona)

6) What are the implications for Mars Noachian cratering chronology of
the detection of additional craters and basins with MOLA data? (Herb
Frey: NASA GSFC).

7) What role has exhumation played in the evolution of the surface of
Mars and what are the implications for Mars cratering chronology? (Ken
Edgett and Mike Malin: MSSS, Invited)

8) How have the new data for Mars changed our perceptions of Mars
stratigraphy and geological history? (Ken Tanaka: USGS Flagstaff)

9) What is the importance of in situ analysis and Mars sample return for
improving and solidifying Mars cratering chronology? (Glenn MacPherson:
Smithsonian Institution)

10) What are the most fundamental questions associated with our
knowledge of the martian time scale and how might we resolve these
questions (new observations, experiments, laboratory analyses, etc.)? (All)
[1] Chronology and Evolution of Mars, R. Kallenbach, J. Geiss, and W.
Hartmann, eds., Space Science Series of ISSI, vol. 12, Kluwer,
Dordrecht, 2001, 498 p. See also Space Science Reviews, vol. 96, Nos.
1-4, 2001.
[2] A. Bouvier et al., The age of SNC meteorites and the antiquity of
the martian surface, EPSL, 240, 221-233, 2005.

The Microsymposium will be held at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in
Houston, Texas, beginning at 1 pm on Saturday, March 11, and will
conclude Sunday, March 12, by 12 noon. If you are interested in
participating in the Microsymposium, please respond to this e-mail by
filling in the form below by e-mail reply. The Microsymposium will
emphasize an open discussion format anchored by a series of thirty
minute invited overviews (see themes and individuals listed above)
followed by thirty minutes of discussion and short commentaries. There
will also be an opportunity to present posters; in addition to new
contributions, if you have a relevant poster that you planned to give at
LPSC, you are encouraged to bring it for display and presentation as
this will give you the opportunity to show it to a focused audience.
Microsymposium 43 complements and sets the stage for aspects of the more
broadly focused LPI Workshop "Surface Ages and Histories: Issues in
Planetary Chronology" to be held at the LPI May 21-23, 2006.

We ask that responses requesting short commentaries and posters be made
as soon as possible but no later than January 17th, 2006 to
James_Head_at_brown.edu
<mailto:James_Head_at_brown.edu?subject=Microsymposium%2043>. Please
indicate "Microsymposium 43" in the subject line. Those wishing to
attend the conference can register any time, including up to the time of
the conference, but advance notice helps us to plan refreshments and
seating. Please forward this announcement to any interested students and
colleagues. There is no registration fee.

Sincerely,
James Head and Alexander Basilevsky, Co-convenors

In your e-mail response please indicate:

1. Intention to attend Microsymposium 43

2. Intention to make a short 5-minute commentary on one of the themes above:
Theme:
Commentary title:

3. Intention to submit a poster to the Microsymposium:
Poster title:

4. If unable to attend, do you want to be added to the mailing list?

 
Received on Sat 31 Dec 2005 10:45:11 PM PST