Decoding planetary surfaces by counting cracks

TL;DR

This paper analyzes planetary surface crack patterns across the solar system, using a new model and diagram to decode their formation conditions and identify water-related features.

Contribution

It introduces a Symbolic Ternary Diagram to relate fracture junction types to formation processes, revealing insights into planetary surface histories.

Findings

Most mosaics show hierarchical fracture patterns with T junctions.

Europa's ice fractures are dominated by X junctions due to refreezing.

Mars shows Y junctions, indicating cyclic volume changes or mudcracks.

Abstract

Planets are often covered with thin cracked shells. From mud films to lithospheres of rock or ice, fracture networks form two-dimensional (2D) tessellations of convex polygons whose geometry encodes their genesis. Here we chart the geometry of 2D fracture mosaics across the solar system, and decode their formative conditions using a new dynamical crack model. We show that mosaics can be projected onto a Symbolic Ternary Diagram, where the relative proportions of ``T'', ``X'' and ``Y'' junctions are uniquely related to contributions from distinct modes of fracture. Most planetary mosaics cluster in a region associated with hierarchical fracture networks, where sequential cracking favors formation of T junctions. Exceptions to this rule may betray the presence of water. Europa's fracture networks stand apart due to the predominance of X junctions; this is a special feature of ice, where healing of cracks by refreezing of water allows new fractures to overprint older ones. Several fracture networks on Mars appear as outliers due the high proportion of Y junctions. These patterns -- previously interpreted as ancient mudcracks and frozen polar terrain, based on geological evidence -- are consistent with the twisting of crack junctions by cyclic volume change. Our findings suggest that counting cracks could aid in the identification of other water-influenced planetary environments.