ANTIPODAL FEATURE GEOPHYSICS ON MARS THROUGH SEISMIC FOCUSING VIA IMPACT EVENT

We investigate the likelihood that the Tharsis region on Mars was formed via an impact event at Hellas Planitia through a seismic focusing event to its antipodal point at the Alba Mons volcano. A mathematical model was created to determine the original size of a crater on Earth in a similar material type for a point of comparison. Once that crater size was determined, it’s dimensions were compared to the Hellas via linear algebraic methods to approximate the size range of the asteroid that created the Hellas. The four most common asteroid materials (Ni, Fe, H₂O_(S), SiO₂) were used to create a range of asteroids that could have created the impact. Mathematical and geophysical models were created to determine all relevant physical parameters and initial conditions. We present and discuss the results of Material Point Method computer simulations of the impact utilizing the impact characteristics and initial conditions.