This document proposes a mission to study evidence of plate tectonics on Titan through four experiments. A team of scientists would send rovers equipped with seismographs and gas chromatographs to the site of a possible ice volcano. The first experiment would use signals between rovers to detect divergence at the volcano, indicating a plate boundary. The second would map ice-quakes to identify plate boundaries. The third would examine stratigraphy for unconformities from plate movement. The fourth would analyze ancient air from ice cores to study past atmospheric composition. Finding plate tectonics on Titan could provide insight into its importance for life, as it generates biodiversity and climate effects on Earth.

1. Plate Tectonics:Ice-Quake Mapping of Titan James Kuhn, Caralee Starling, Mikenna Smith

2. Credentials Caralee Starling, Ph. D Doctorate of Geology, Post-Doctorate of Seismology Professor of Earth Sciences at Princeton University James Kuhn, Ph. D Doctorate of Aerospace Engineering NASA Head Aerospace Engineer on the Cassini mission and Huygen rover Mikenna Smith, Ph. D Doctorate of Analytical Chemistry NASA Analyst of extraterrestrial atmospheric compositions

3. Background Earth’s Plate Tectonics: Promote high levels of global biodiversity Geological features create environmental complexity and stimulate speciation Affect global climate Recycle mineral and chemical compounds in sedimentary rock and release of greenhouse gases via volcanic eruption Aid in the generation of magnetic field Evacuate heat released by convection cells in the liquid iron core that originate from Earth’s rotation

4. Background Titan: Geological surface features Appalachian-sized mountain chains, highest peak 6,600 feet Possible ice volcano SotraFacula Atmosphere 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrocarbons Possibly replenished by volcanic eruption Surface liquid Liquid hydrocarbon rivers and lakes Possible subsurface ocean Theorized to exist 62 miles below surface, separating it from the core and allowing the crust to move

5. SotraFacula

6. Reflection from Titan Lake

7. Mountain Chains

8. Aims Find evidence for plate tectonics by looking for: Ridge movement around SotraFacula The placement and depth of possible ice-quakes Stratigraphy suggesting unconformity in the sediment Historical atmospheric composition (stability)

9. Aim and Experiment I To determine if SotraFacula is on a divergent plate boundary Four rovers will be sent to Titan and situated around the theorized ice volcano, SotraFacula Rovers will be stationary and remote signal between each rover to determine if the distance between any of them increases over the span of the mission

10. Aim and Experiment II To record the location and depth of possible ice-quakes Four rovers will be equipped with seismographs to record the theorized seismic activity resulting from ice-quakes to map out the plate boundaries

11. Aim and Experiment III To search for evidence of geological disruption around SotraFacula by examining the stratigraphy of the drill cores The drill cores will be imaged to analyze the strata of ice layers. Angular unconformities will indicate plate tectonics

12. Aim and Experiment IV To examine Titan’s historic atmospheric composition In addition, the rovers will be equipped with a gas chromatograph Ice-cores will be drilled around SotraFacula and air trapped in the ice-cores will be analyzed with the gas chromatograph to evaluate past atmospheric conditions

14. Prerequisite for lifeOpportunity to look at other conditions of plate tectonics Titan is the best candidate for such plate tectonics in our solar system

15. References Ward P, Brownlee D. The Surprising Importance of Plate Tectonics. In: Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe. New York: Copernicus Books. 2000. p.191-220. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Cassini Spacecraft Images Seas on Saturn’s Moon Titan; 2007 [cited April 2011]; [About 10 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Raisin’ Mountains on Saturn’s Moon Titan; 2010 [cited April 2011]; [About 12 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Surprise Hidden on Titan’s Smog: Circus-Like Clouds; 2011 [cited April 2011]; [About 33 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: NASA Confirms Liquid Lake on Saturn Moon; 2008 [cited April 2011]; [About 10 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Cassini Spacecraft Finds Ocean May Exist Beneath Titan’s Crust; 2008 [cited April 2011]; [About 9 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: New Theory: Titan Shaped by Weathering, Not Ice Volcanoes; 2011 [cited April 2011]; [About 13 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. NASA [Internet]. Washington D.C.: Saturn’s Moon Titan: Planet Wannabe; 2004 [cited April 2011]; [About 25 paragraphs]. Available from: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/. Images retrieved from NASA

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