Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-30-1980

Abstract

As is seen from comparisons of Mariner images obtained in 1972 and Viking Orbifer himages obtained in 1978, sevcral chanees have occurred in the Cerberus region of Mars Charges in the boundary of the low albedo feature resulted in an increase of the total area of Cerberus by slightly more than 1%2, although the southwestern boundary had shifted as much as 90 km. Relative darkcning of Cerberus has resulted in a more uniform tone, and is accompanied by the disappearance of dark filamentary markings. Although several bright streaks within Cerbcrus chunged in length, ncither lensthening nor shortenine of the strcaks pi cdonnated. Howeyer, changes in streak direction indicate a clockwise rotation of mean streak azimuth between 1972 and 1978. These changes in the outline and appearance of Cerberus can best be explained by eolian redistribution and removal of bright matcrial during major dust storms. ¥olcanic flow fronts which show through the albedo featurc indicate that the contrast between Cerberus and the surrounding light plains is not due to a difference in lithology, but to the distribution of surficial deposits: Because of local topographic influences on the regional atmospheric circulation patterns, it is probable that Cerbcrus will retain a similar appearance and location.

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