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Ramsey 2002
Ramsey, M.S. (2002). Ejecta distribution patterns at Meteor Crater, Arizona: On the applicability of lithologic end-member deconvolution for spaceborne thermal infrared data of Earth and Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research 107: doi: 10.1029/2001JE001827. issn: 0148-0227.

A spectral deconvolution using a constrained least squares approach was applied to airborne thermal infrared multispectral scanner (TIMS) data of Meteor Crater, Arizona. The three principal sedimentary units sampled by the impact were chosen as end-members, and their spectra were derived from the emissivity images. To validate previous estimates of the erosion of the near-rim ejecta, the model was used to identify the areal extent of the reworked material. The outputs of the algorithm reveal subtle mixing patterns in the ejecta, identified larger ejecta blocks, and were used to further constrain the volume of Coconino Sandstone present in the vicinity of the crater. The availability of the multialtitude data set also provided a means to examine the effects of resolution degradation and quantify the subsequent errors on the model. These data served as a test case for the use of image-derived lithologic end-members at various scales, which is critical for examining thermal infrared data of planetary surfaces. The model results indicate that the Coconino Ss. reworked ejecta is detectable over 3 km from the crater. This was confirmed by field sampling within the primary ejecta field and wind streak. The areal distribution patterns of this unit imply past erosion and subsequent sediment transport that was low to moderate compared with early studies and therefore places further constraints on the ejecta degradation of Meteor Crater. It also provides an important example of the analysis that can be performed on thermal infrared data currently being returned from Earth orbit and expected from Mars in 2002.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetary Sciences, Impact phenomena (includes cratering), Planetary Sciences, Remote sensing, Planetary Sciences, Erosion and weathering, Planetary Sciences, Instruments and techniques, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Mars
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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