Geology topics

Alexandra E. Huff

Publications and source records attributed to Alexandra E. Huff.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2022

Planetary geologic mapping protocol—2022

The Planetary Geologic Mapping Protocol covers the idealized process of compiling a NASA-funded map product of a non-terrestrial solid surface planetary body for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) publication and summarizes technical specifications of the Mapping Process for authors and reviewers. Directed by community and programmatic recommendations, the USGS Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group assembled the content herein to aid the timely production of USGS map products. This document can be also used as a reference document by those researchers who are completing geologic maps that will be published outside the USGS.

Techniques and Methods↗

USGS2021

Geologic map of the Athabasca Valles region, Mars

This 1:1,000,000-scale geologic map of the Athabasca Valles region of Mars places the best-preserved lavas on Mars into their geologic context. The map shows vigorous geologic activity in the most recent epoch of the geologic history of Mars, which is extremely unusual for the planet. In these atypically youthful terrains, the interpretations of geologic processes are exceptionally robust for planetary geologic mapping. The investigation relies heavily on images from the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context (CTX) cameras, which have sub-meter and sub-decameter spatial resolution, respectively. Geospatial fidelity is provided by the photogrammetrically controlled 100-meter-per-pixel map base derived from Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) daytime infrared image data. The individual HiRISE and CTX images are available through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Planetary Data System Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node ( https://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/ ).

Scientific Investigations Map↗

USGS2019

Planetary geologic mapping—Program status and future needs

The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group (Flagstaff, Ariz.) surveyed planetary geoscience map makers and users to determine the importance, relevance, and usability of such products to their planetary science research and to current and future needs of the planetary science community. This survey was prepared because the planetary science community lacks a modern assessment of the value invested in geoscience map products and processes (including the diverse scientific and technical personnel who add to and maintain this infrastructure) and a strategy that ensures these efforts appropriately prioritize mapping efforts across all solid surface bodies in the Solar System. A 30-question survey was conducted through an online questionnaire and was designed to (1) take <10 minutes, (2) instill a sense that responses would be acted upon, and (3) encourage community participation through a user-friendly interface. The survey made a distinction between “standardized” geoscience maps (those published by the USGS that require adherence to specific cartographic standards, conventions, and principles) and “non-standardized” geoscience maps (those published by other venues such as peer-reviewed journals that are not required to, but might, adhere to some cartographic standards, conventions, and principles). The survey was opened on Sunday, March 18, 2017 (to coincide with the annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Tex.) and was closed on Thursday, May 25, 2017. There was a total of 265 unique responses that were formulated into 17 unique findings that were matched with one or more recommendations to be addressed by the planetary science community.

Open-File Report↗