Remote Sensing of the Western Ladon Basin (Mars)

The aim of this thesis is to better understand the tectonic and volcanic history of the Ladon Basin on Mars by examining graben systems, flow structures and hydrothermal indicators. Studying Ladon Basin and its origin can help us better understand the history of Mars, particularly by shedding light on the role water played in the planet's evolution and its relationship with volcanism and tectonics. In this study, geological features of the western Ladon Basin on Mars were mapped and analyzed using high-resolution satellite imagery on QGIS. Remote sensing data from CTX, THEMIS, HiRISE, and CaSSIS were used to characterize morphology, thermal inertia, and surface characteristic of the western flows. The high resolution of HiRISE imagery made it possible to make detailed observations of vertical sections of the basin along graben and crater walls. These analyses revealed distinct stratigraphic layering, mainly characterized by alternating white and yellowish layers visible in HiRISE IRB (infrared-red-blue) false-color images. In addition, further observations in HiRISE false-color imagery have revealed the possible presence of listwanite ridges, chlorides and clay-rich deposits typical of hydrothermal environments. Furthemore, crater size-frequency analysis using the software Craterstats suggests model ages that place these flows at ~1.3 Ga. Finally, comparing features across the western and eastern sectors of the basin revealed both structural continuities and regional differences, indicating that varying geological processes may have influenced the two areas over time.