Hecates Tholus, Marte: Inestabilidad del Edificio Volcánico

Abstract

Hecates Tholus is a volcano located at the Elysium volcanic province in the Martian lowlands (32ºN, 210ºW). In addition to several nested calderas, the volcano shows several geological and geomorphological features that could be indicative of a complex volcanic evolution: channels, depressions, pits, faults and ridges, and a complex volcano topography. The processes that can explain the structural evolution of the volcano, include: (1) volcanic spreading, (2) lateral volcanic activity, (3) development of large landslides, (4) hydrothermal activity, and (5) tectonic deformation. We discuss these hypotheses and their implications, in order to establish the most feasible volcanic history of Hecates Tholus