Planetary Tectonics

This book describes the tectonic landforms resulting from major internal and external forces acting on the outer layers of solid bodies throughout the Solar System. It presents a detailed survey of tectonic structures at a range of length scales found on Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, the outer planet satellites, and asteroids. A diverse range of models for the sources of tectonic stresses acting on silicate and icy crusts is outlined, comparing processes acting throughout the Solar System. Rheological and mechanical properties of planetary crusts and lithospheres are discussed to understand how and why tectonic stresses manifest themselves differently on various bodies. Results from fault population data are assessed in detail. The book provides methods for mapping and analysing planetary tectonic features, and is illustrated with diagrams and spectacular images returned by manned and robotic spacecraft. It forms an essential reference for researchers and students in planetary geology and tectonics.• Contains many stunning images of the diverse range of tectonic landforms found throughout the Solar System • Includes numerous maps and illustrations summarising the distribution of tectonic features and models for their mode of origin • Is extensively referenced, providing a convenient springboard to sources of further informationPreface; 1. Introduction Thomas R. Watters and Richard A. Schultz; 2. The tectonics of Mercury Thomas R. Watters and Francis Nimmo; 3. Venus tectonics George E. McGill, Ellen R. Stofan and Suzanne E. Smrekar; 4. Lunar tectonics Thomas R. Watters and Catherine Johnson; 5. Mars tectonics Matthew P. Golombek and Roger J. Phillips; 6. Tectonics of small bodies Peter C. Thomas and Louise M. Prockter; 7. Tectonics of the outer planet satellites Geoffrey C. Collins, William B. McKinnon, Jeffrey M. Moorse, Francis Nimmo, Robert T. Pappalardo, Louise M. Prockter and Paul M. Schenk; 8. Planetary structural mapping Kenneth L. Tanaka, Robert Anderson, James M. Dohm, Vicki Hansen, George E. McGill, Robert T. Pappalardo, Richard A. Schultz and Thomas R. Watters; 9. Strength and deformation of planetary lithospheres David L. Kohlstedt and Stephen J. Mackwell; 10. Fault populations Richard A. Schultz, Roger Soliva, Chris H. Okubo and Daniel Meg; Index.