HYDROLOGIC MODELS FOR CATASTROPHIC OUTFLOW CHANNEL PEAK DISCHARGE ON MARS: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE CHANNELED SCABLANDS WASHINGTON

In order to understand the vast quantity and flow of water that formed the enormous outflow channels on Mars, this study uses two hydrologic peak discharge models of varying complexity. The terrestrial analog used is the channeled scablands of southeastern Washington State. The use of remote sensing for spectral mineral analysis and particle size allows use of Manning's equation for flow analysis. Additionally, digital elevation models and high spatial resolution imagery provide details of the channel dimensions, topography, and geomorphology. Detailed fieldwork provides the geomorphic, mineralogic, and structural components of the channels in order to validate the remote sensing observations and measurements used in the peak discharge models. Validation of these models provides a method to model and calculate the peak discharge needed to create the massive outflow channels such as Kasei Vallis on Mars. The fieldwork presented is preliminary data to be used in further developing the peak discharge models.