Comments on: New cracks across old Martian lava flows

By: Andi

Andi — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 15:12:23 +0000

I always assumed that if “Earth” was capitalized, then it referred to the specific planet. One solution, which may be confusing, is to use lower case for the generic term.

By: Michael McNeil

Michael McNeil — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 14:21:10 +0000

So there is to be no common term for the geological shaking of the ground (“earth”) on which one is standing — regardless of planet? That seems dumb. And who says that the “earth” in “earthquakes” refers to the planet Earth?

By: Blair K Ivey

Blair K Ivey — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 04:14:32 +0000

Andi wrote “Might I suggest that seismic events on Mars be referred to as “Marsquakes” or simply “quakes”? “Earthquakes” seems somehow out of place.”

Second.

By: Andi

Andi — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 04:07:44 +0000

Might I suggest that seismic events on Mars be referred to as “Marsquakes” or simply “quakes”? “Earthquakes” seems somehow out of place.

By: Robert Zimmerman

Robert Zimmerman — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 23:04:06 +0000

In reply to Greg the Geologist. Greg the Geologist: Ah, thank you. That explains the overlapping cracks. What still intrigues me is how the data is increasingly suggesting the youth of Cerberus Fossae.

By: Greg the Geologist

Greg the Geologist — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 22:52:04 +0000

“Overlapping” faults or graben can occur when the direction of stress is a few degrees off from a structural weakness in the rock mass (either from cooling fractures, or earlier faulting). Preferentially, the rock breaks according to those pre-existing weaknesses. But they will be overlapping, or ‘en echelon’ (geo term), conforming to the larger, regional stress field. With that said, what a spectacular view!