Experimental+Protocol

__**Introduction**__

Valles Marineris is a large canyon located in the equitorial region of Mars. Although the origin of this canal is not definitely known, theories have been proposed. The leading theory of the formation of this "Martian canal" is through plate tectonics followed by erosion (possibly sandstorms) which increased its size. This experiment is designed to test this theory. Determining the process through which Valles Marineris was created has significant implications in our understanding of Mars. If the canyon was formed due to water erosion, this would mean that there was running water at one point and an increased probability of life. This water may still be present in aquifers or subsurface rock/permafrost. If the canyon was formed by plate tectonics, then Mars was at one point was tectonically active and may have had thermal vents that could have sustained life. Glaciation is also another possibility in the formation of Valles Marineris--if this were the process through which this canyon were formed, it would indicate that glaciers were present at the equator or that Valles Marineris may have once been closer to the poles due to tectonic activity.

__**Questions**__

This laboratory experiment is designed to test whether Valles Marineris could have been formed by running water, glaciation, or plate tectonics. This will be tested using computer/satellite imaging technologies. We hypothesize that Valles Marineris was formed by tectonic activity--similar to a rift valley on earth. This seems logical because there are indicators of previous tectonic activities on Mars (e.g. Olympus Mons) and because no indicators of the massive amount of water required for glaciation or erosion have been found.

__**Methods**__

__Computer/satellite imaging technologies__ 1) Open Google Earth 5 2) Locate the search box (top left) 3) Enter: "Athabasca Glacier". Click on the "Did you mean..." result. 4) Locate the glacial valley 4km northeast at coordinates 52º13'00.90" N 117º12'05.77" W. (The coordinates at which the cursor hand points to are displayed at the bottom of the map, the ruler tool above the map may be used to judge distances) 5) View the valley from the east (looking west) at a low angle so that the horizon can be seen. Do this by dragging the map around. Zoom in/out so that the cross sectional shape of the valley can be seen. Make any observations and record the required data in the table. 6) Using the search box, go to "Amibara, Ethiopia". Locate the point on the rift valley floor 27 km northwest of the town of Amibara at coordinates 9º29'22.59" N 40º00'56.00" E. (The ruler tool may help in finding the coordinates) 7) View the valley from the south (looking north), at a low angle. Make any observations and record the required data in the table. 8) Using the search box, go to "Grand Canyon". Locate the valley about 2.5 km to the south at coordinates 36º08'16.64" N 113º12'23.62" W. Drag the map so that the valley is viewed from a low angle and the entire valley cross section can be seen. Make any observations and record the required data in the table. 9) Go to Google Mars (available in version 5) by clicking on the planet symbol above the map beside the ruler tool and selecting mars. Locate Valles Marineris by searching for it in the search box. 10) View Valles Marineris (at coordinates 13º44'44.05 S 58º07'37.71º W) from a low angle so that similar observations that were made on the Earth analogues can be made. Make any observations and record the required data in the table. 11) Compare the data and determine what process(es) most likely formed Valles Marineris.

__**Assessments**__

__Tables:__
 * || Athabasca Glacier || Rift Valley || Grand Canyon || Valles Marineris ||
 * Shape (U/V) ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Width ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Ridge face/surrounding terrain ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Path (straight/winding) ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * Valley floor surface ||  ||   ||   ||   ||

__**Resources**__ Laptop with Google Earth 5 Internet access

__Prelab:__ 1) Download Google Earth 5 2) Prepare any tables required (see **assessments**) 3) Bring your laptop with Google Earth **5** installed to the lab