GEOPHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF VOLCANIC FEATURES AND PROCESSES WITH LUNAR SCIENCE OPERATIONS IMPLICATIONS

The only experience of human geophysical fieldwork on another planetary body is that of the Apollo astronauts during their lunar missions of the 1960’s and 1970’s. However, the study of terrestrial analogs of lunar geologic features is an excellent method for acquiring field data on geologic problems that can be applied to similar features found on the Moon.

Lunar analog locations on Earth provide the ability to investigate three primary arenas with application to human planetary exploration. These arenas are: scientific investigations of geologic problems, examination of operational scenarios, and conduction of engineering evaluations. Our research in the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF) focuses on the first two by conducting scientific investigations of volcanic features while considering the operational impacts to performing these activities on other planetary bodies.

Our study area within the SFVF is an approximately 50 km² region, that is roughly centered on the SP Crater cinder cone. This region contains numerous cinder cone volcanoes and lava flows that are analogous to locations of scientific interest on the Moon. Lunar locations that are directly relatable include the Taurus Littrow region, which was visited by the Apollo 17 crew, and the Marius Hills region, which was a prime candidate for one of the cancelled Apollo missions.

Our research uses seismic and magnetic methods to address two geologic problems. The first is to attempt to seismically discern multiple overlapping lava flows of the area. This was accomplished while conducting the associated fieldwork within the operational contraints based on the simulated human rover traverse lunar mission performed by NASA in 2010.

The second investigates the hypothesis that the source magma for the volcanic cinder cone vents of the region is propagating along shallow surface fractures. The fieldwork for this investigation is conducted without any restriction to follow specific analogous lunar mission operations requirements, thus providing a comparison to the initial constrained investigation.

The results are expected to provide both an advanced scientific understanding of the volcanic processes at work, with application to similar lunar settings, as well as provide fundamental groundwork for future lunar scientific operational requirements.