mars_planet          Research in Planetary Geology at UMASS Amherst


    Research in planetary geology is focused on the crustal histories of Mars and Venus. Recent projects include preparing detailed geological maps of quadrangles on both Mars and Venus, evaluating hypotheses for the origin of the enigmatic giant polygons on Mars by means of image analysis and modeling, investigating putative shorelines on Mars,
deciphering Martian sediment history, and determining the kinematics of complex deformation zones on Venus. Most of the planetary research relates to grants held by G.E. McGill, but S.A. Morse, C.D. Condit, and D. Wise provide support in the areas of bulk planetary properties, petrology of intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks, and volcanology.





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