Evidence for a Thick Mantle of Volatile-rich Materials in the Utopia Basin, Mars, Based on Crater Depth/Diameter Measurements

This study focuses on the depth/diameter (d/D) relationships of impact craters within Utopia Basin (25 deg. N - 70 deg. N, 88 deg. W - 150 deg. W), Mars. In order to search for spatial variations in the study area, d/D values for a total of 1,430 craters have been grouped by sub-regions based upon their similar d/D characteristics. This has revealed a significant difference in d/D relationship for craters in north central Utopia basin compared with other parts of the basin, and withother areas on Mars. Preliminary measurements have also been collected in four additional test areas (Acidalia, Sinai, Sirenum, and south of Argyre) for comparison purposes.