Highs and lows: Using GPR to map cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes on Earth to support studies of the Moon and Mars

PreviousNext No Access18th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar, Golden, Colorado, 14–19 June 2020Highs and lows: Using GPR to map cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes on Earth to support studies of the Moon and MarsAuthors: Sarah KruseSanaz EsmaeiliSajad JazayeriSoraya AlfredErnie BellCharles ConnorLeah CourtlandElisabeth GallantKathleen Grady-WeillDanielle MoliseeJacob RichardsonLuke VarnerPatrick WhelleyKelsey YoungSarah KruseUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Sanaz EsmaeiliUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Sajad JazayeriUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Soraya AlfredUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Ernie BellUniversity of Maryland, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Charles ConnorUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Leah CourtlandUniversity of South Florida, United StatesUniversity of Indianapolis, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Elisabeth GallantUniversity of South Florida, United StatesUniversity of Cambridge, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author, Kathleen Grady-WeillUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Danielle MoliseeUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Jacob RichardsonUniversity of Maryland, United StatesNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Luke VarnerUniversity of South Florida, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, Patrick WhelleyUniversity of Maryland, United StatesNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, United StatesSearch for more papers by this author, and Kelsey YoungNASA Goddard Space Flight Center, United StatesSearch for more papers by this authorhttps://doi.org/10.1190/gpr2020-112.1 SectionsAboutPDF/ePub ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract Terrestrial cinder cones are an excellent analog for lunar or Martian regolith (soils) as their deposits are layered, may be interbedded with lava flows, and often contain volcanic blocks or bombs. Surveys on Cerro Negro volcano (Nicaragua), Medicine Lake Volcano, and cinder cones Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve (Idaho) demonstrate that GPR is highly effective in resolving buried blocks/bombs and buried lava flows, both of which could impede excavation. Terrestrial lava tubes represent a more challenging target. The TubeX project, conducted at Lava Beds National Monument (northern California), shows that the air-rock interface of the tube ceiling generally produces a strong reflection. However, irregularities in the ceiling structure, especially where blocks have dropped and fallen to the tube floor, can generate highly complex GPR returns. The host lava itself can present strong internal reflections and potential false positives for the presence of a tube. Lava tube floor locations are challenging to reconstruct with variable-velocity migration, due to the sharp and irregular air/rock interfaces. The upcoming GEODES SSERVI (Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute) will support further study, particularly of GPR integrated into a suite of geophysical methods. Keywords: GPR, GPS, resolution, diffraction, full-waveformPermalink: https://doi.org/10.1190/gpr2020-112.1FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 18th International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar, Golden, Colorado, 14–19 June 2020ISSN (online):2159-6832Copyright: 2020 Pages: 455 publication data© 2020 Published in electronic format with permission by the Society of Exploration GeophysicistsPublisher:Society of Exploration Geophysicists HistoryPublished Online: 11 Nov 2020 CITATION INFORMATION Sarah Kruse, Sanaz Esmaeili, Sajad Jazayeri, Soraya Alfred, Ernie Bell, Charles Connor, Leah Courtland, Elisabeth Gallant, Kathleen Grady-Weill, Danielle Molisee, Jacob Richardson, Luke Varner, Patrick Whelley, and Kelsey Young, (2020), "Highs and lows: Using GPR to map cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes on Earth to support studies of the Moon and Mars," SEG Global Meeting Abstracts : 432-435. https://doi.org/10.1190/gpr2020-112.1 Plain-Language Summary KeywordsGPRGPSresolutiondiffractionfull-waveformPDF DownloadLoading ...