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A new look at volcanism in the solar system, including that on Mars and the "cryo-volcanism" discovered on the icy moons of Jupiter, is the subject of a recently published book by Springer called "Volcanic Worlds". Edited by Rosaly Lopes (JPL) and Tracy Gregg (SUNY Buffalo), the chapters are contributed by recognized experts in the study of terrestrial and extraterrestrial volcanoes. Susan Sakimoto, of UMBC/GEST and the Geodynamics Branch, was asked to write the sectio |
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Sakimoto has been studying volcanoes since the early 1990s as part of her graduate work on the Venus "pancake domes". She has been an active adjunct member of the MOLA science team and has used the MOLA data to obtain very detailed topographic characterization of small volcanoes on Mars. Measurements of parameters such as base width, height, flank slope and volume have revealed a possible latitudinal dependence in the volatility of volcanic eruptions. Field work among possible analogs in the Eastern Snake River Plain has led to the suggestion by Sakimoto and her co-workers Scott Hughes (Idaho State) and Tracy Gregg (SUNY Buffalo) that the topographic shape of the upper flanks of small shield volcanoes may be diagnostic of their petrology. Her work over the last 6 years has included mentoring students who frequently present their results at major scientific meetings (GSA, LPSC). |
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Responsible NASA official: Dr. Herbert Frey