Department of Planetary Sciences
Lunar and Planetary Laboratory

Colin Dundas

Ph.D. (Planetary Sciences), University of Arizona, 2009

B.S. (Planetary Science), Caltech, 2004

Now at the USGS Astrogeology Branch, Flagstaff, AZ

Research Interests

I study planetary geomorphology and surface processes, particularly focusing on the surface of Mars. I use a combination of image analysis (largely using data from the HiRISE camera) and modeling to examine the formation and evolution of surface features. This helps to understand the processes and conditions which have shaped the present surface. I am particularly interested in periglacial and volcanic features and the nature of Martian ground ice.

Current Projects

Sublimation of ice on Mars
Recent impact craters on Mars (formed within the last few years) have exposed ice in the mid-latitudes. I have used thermal modeling to determine the sublimation rates of ice at these sites. In concert with observations of the timescale for the ice to fade, this provides insight into the dust content of the ice. The ice appears to be relatively clean, with little dust--similar to ice excavated at the Phoenix Lander site thousands of kilometers away.

Recent activity in Martian gullies
Martian gullies are generally thought to record activity of liquid water. I am studying the locations and properties of recent and new activity by examining fresh gully deposits in HiRISE images. Current gully activity does not appear to involve liquid water.

Cratering record of lava surfaces on Mars
Target material properties affect the size of small impact craters. I am examining the implications of this effect for the cratering record of Martian lava surfaces.

Curriculum Vitae