Workshop on Surface Ages and Histories : issues in planetary chronology : May 21-23, 2006, Houston, Texas

Abstract

A fundamental unsolved issue facing planetary science is that of surface ages of solar system bodies. Just how old are the surfaces we see, and how many planets are still geologically active today? Are fresh lava flows on Mars really less than a few million years old? Does the observed surface of Europa really postdate the dinosaurs? Only Earth and the Moon can be directly dated using physical samples (Martian meteorites cannot at present be correlated with geologic terrains). For all other planetary surfaces, the dating of geologic units and the unraveling of planetary history must be accomplished indirectly. The most common method of indirect age dating is crater counting, but this method is rife with assumptions. The goal of this workshop is to bring together the related communities of geologic mappers, crater counters, solar system dynamicists, and radiometric petrologists to discuss the fundamental issues and problems associated with the dating of planetary surfaces. Aspects of planetary chronology in both the inner and outer solar system, including solid and gaseous bodies, will be discussed. Emphasis will be given to uncertainties and assumptions in our techniques and ways to potentially resolve them. Observational and theoretical presentations are encouraged.