Student Research Experience

Name: Leon Manfredi, undergraduate

Research summary and role: The Circum-Hellas Volcanic Province (CHVP) on Mars is thought to be the oldest example of point source volcanism on the planet. Using daytime-infrared images acquired by the THEMIS camera on board the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, mosaics were constructed of several regions surrounding the CHVP that appear to be volcanic in origin. Crater counts were then performed on these surfaces to determine if they are temporally related to known volcanism in the CHVP. Cratering model formation ages for these surfaces, 3.4-3.8 Ga, are similar to those of the volcanoes within the CHVP, 3.6-3.8 Ga. This research is significant because determining the age and extent of the CHVP may provide clues as to when and why there was a transition from fissure eruptions to point source volcanism.