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On the relations between cratonic lithosphere thickness, plate motions, and basal drag

An overview of seismic, thermal, and petrological evidence on the structure of Precambrian lithosphere suggests that its local maximum thickness is highly variable (140-350 km), with a bimodal distribution for Archean cratons (200-220 km and 300-350 km). We discuss the origin of such large differences in lithospheric thickness, and propose that the lithospheric base can have large depth variations
Authors
I.M. Artemieva, Walter D. Mooney

Lunar orbiter digitization and cartographic processing

Digitization and cartographic processing of 5 Lunar Orbiter (LO) IV frames (109H, 110H, 114H, 115H, and 114M) are now complete, and these data are available online at http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Space/LunarOrbiter/lunorbWebtop.html. Coverage ofthese data extends from Eratosthenes crater on the west to Mare Serenitatis in the east, and from Aristoteles crater in the north to Rima Hyginus in
Authors
Lisa R. Gaddis, Tammy L. Becker, Tracie L. Sucharski, A. Gitlin, Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus

Validation of the USGS sensor model for topographic mapping of Venus using Magellan radar stereoimagery

The Magellan spacecraft went into Venus orbit in 1990 and by 1992 had made three complete cycles of polar orbits, each cycle covering the full range of longitudes. During this time the spacecraft obtained synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of >96% of the planet at a resolution of 75 m/pixel. Images taken with a decreased look angle from vertical, primarily during Cycle 3, provide stereo coverag
Authors
Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Randolph L. Kirk, Donna M. Galuszka, Trent M. Hare, Bonnie L. Redding

High resolution digital elevation models of Mars from MOC Narrow Angle stereoimages

In this abstract we report on our initial experiences performing stereotopographic mapping of Mars with high-resolution images from the Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera Narrow-Angle subsystem (MGS MOC-NA; [1]). Accurate topographic information, and, in particular, high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) are of intense interest at all phases of Mars exploration and scientific invest
Authors
Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus, Brent A. Archinal

Combining lunar photogrammetric topographic data with Clementine LIDAR data

During the Clementine Mission both oblique and vertical multispectral images were collected. The oblique and vertical images from a single spectral band collected during the same orbit form a stereo pair that can be used to derive the topography. These stereo pairs were used to derive the topography of an area surrounding the lunar South Pole (90°S - 64°S latitude) and North Pole (90°N - 64°N lati
Authors
Mark R. Rosiek, Randolph L. Kirk, Elpitha Howington-Kraus

Optical designs for the Mars '03 rover cameras

In 2003, NASA is planning to send two robotic rover vehicles to explore the surface of Mars. The spacecraft will land on airbags in different, carefully chosen locations. The search for evidence indicating conditions favorable for past or present life will be a high priority. Each rover will carry a total of ten cameras of five various types. There will be a stereo pair of color panoramic cameras,
Authors
Gregory Hallock Smith, E.C. Hagerott, Lawrence M. Scherr, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, James F. Bell

Volcanism in national parks: summary of the workshop convened by the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service, 26-29 September 2000, Redding, California

Spectacular volcanic scenery and features were the inspiration for creating many of our national parks and monuments and continue to enhance the visitor experience today (Table 1). At the same time, several of these parks include active and potentially active volcanoes that could pose serious hazards - earthquakes, mudflows, and hydrothermal explosions, as well as eruptions - events that would pro
Authors
Steven R. Brantley, Lindsay McClelland

Seismic images and fault relations of the Santa Monica thrust fault, West Los Angeles, California

In May 1997, the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Southern California (USC) acquired high-resolution seismic reflection and refraction images on the grounds of the Wadsworth Veterans Administration Hospital (WVAH) in the city of Los Angeles (Fig. 1a,b). The objective of the seismic survey was to better understand the near-surface geometry and faulting characteristics of the Santa
Authors
R. D. Catchings, G. Gandhok, M. R. Goldman, D. Okaya

Stratigraphic and structural characterization of the OU-1 area at the former George Air Force Base, Adelanto, southern California

The former George Air Force Base (GAFB), now known as the Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), is located in the town of Adelanto, approximately 100 km northeast of Los Angeles, California (Fig. 1). In this report, we present acquisition parameters, data, and interpretations of seismic images that were acquired in the OU-1 area of GAFB during July 1999 (Fig. 2). GAFB is scheduled for conv
Authors
R. D. Catchings, G. Gandhok, M. R. Goldman

Origin, extent, and thickness of quaternary geologic units in the Willamette Valley, Oregon

Stratigraphic and chronologic information collected for Quaternary deposits in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, provides a revised stratigraphic framework that serves as a basis for a 1:250,000-scale map, as well as for thickness estimates of widespread Quaternary geologic units. We have mapped 11 separate Quaternary units that are differentiated on the basis of stratigraphic, topographic, pedogenic
Authors
Jim E. O'Connor, Andrei M. Sarna-Wojcicki, Karl C. Wozniak, Danial J. Polette, Robert J. Fleck

The Quaternary and Pliocene Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana

This region of Yellowstone National Park has been the active focus of one of the Earth's largest magmatic systems for more than 2 million years. The resulting volcanism has been characterized by the eruption of voluminous rhyolites and subordinate basalts but virtually no lavas of intermediate composition. The magmatic system at depth remains active and drives the massive hydrothermal circulation
Authors
Robert L. Christiansen