Geology on Mars
What model did scientists use to investigate the channels on Mars?
Flowing water model
What do models help scientists do?
They help scientists test ideas and gather evidence about natural processes
What are novae?
Dome-shaped landforms with cracks radiating from their center found on Venus
Why is Venus hotter than Earth?
Venus has a much thicker atmosphere that traps heat
What evidence did Gerya’s model of Venus provide?
It supported the idea that high surface temperatures and a thin crust on Venus allow novae to form
Why are scientists studying channels on Mars?
To determine if they were formed by flowing water or lava
What did Gerya's model of Venus focus on?
How novae were formed on Venus
What geological feature did the Flowing Water Model create in the Mars investigation?
Channels similar to those on Mars
What is the average surface temperature on Venus?
462°C (864°F)
What are the main components of the Flowing Water Model used for Mars?
Water and sand
What is the significance of landforms remaining after water flows on Mars?
It suggests water once flowed on Mars, even though there is no water now
How did Gerya test his model?
He used a computer model to simulate Venus’s conditions with high temperature and a thin crust
What is a key difference between the landforms on Venus and Earth?
Venus has novae due to its thin crust and high temperature, unlike Earth
What do scientists think about Venus’s crust compared to Earth’s?
Venus’s crust may be thinner, allowing magma to form novae more easily
Why do scientists rely on models to study distant planets?
Because direct observation is difficult or impossible for planets far away or in the past
What was used to represent land in the Mars model?
Sand
What is one way models are different from the natural processes they represent?
They simplify or represent key aspects but are not exactly the same
What do landforms on planets like Mars and Venus tell scientists?
They provide evidence about the planet's geological history and past processes
How do the novae on Venus provide clues about Venus’s geologic activity?
They suggest that high temperatures and a thin crust allow magma to push up and form unique landforms
What is one limitation of using models in scientific investigations?
Models can simplify processes and may not capture every detail of the natural world