Investigation of the morphology and interpretation of Hekla Cavus, Pluto
by Ahrens, C. J.; Chevrier, V. F.
We describe and interpret the geometry and surficial characteristics of an oblong 98 km depression named Hekla Cavus in the (informally named) Cthulhu Macula, Pluto. The feature is located near the equator west of Sputnik Planitia at the New Horizons Close Encounter Hemisphere. Images from the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager along with digital elevation maps reveal that the feature is located within a larger ridge-trough system, bounded by a raised rim with surficial fissures radiating from the rim. At the wall-floor contact, a mass wasting feature is also observed. The floor of the feature is asymmetric of near-elliptical shape with its long-axis oriented southwestward. This study also comparatively measures the dimensions of impact craters and sublimation pits of Pluto to define Hekla Cavus to be a rare feature. This feature is estimated to have a volume of 5617 km(3) of removed ice with possible mechanisms of formation like that of a collapse from subsurface deflation, possibly from cryovolcanic processes. Plain language summary: Hekla Cavus is a large, irregularly shaped depression that is part of a larger ridge-trough system through eastern Cthulhu Macula, Pluto. Recently acquired high-resolution images and topography derived from the New Horizons mission were used to describe the geometry and geologic setting of this possible subsurface collapse pit. Estimations of the removed ice volume at Hekla Cavus also provided insight to its possible collapse history. This study also comparatively measures the dimensions of impact craters and sublimation pits of Pluto to define Hekla Cavus to be a rare feature. Thus, the origins of Hekla Cavus may have been a subsurface cryovolcanic collapsing process.
- Journal
- Icarus
- Volume
- 356
- Year
- 2021
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114108
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1090-2643; 0019-1035
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114108