Exogenic Processes: The prospects of their operation in the Pluto System
Jeff Moore (NASA Ames)
It is virtually certain that the landforms created by exogenic processes will be observed in
the Pluto system. Exogenic processes are those that the energy for surface modification is
supplied external to the surface. The principal exogenic processes, in order of their pre-
encounter presumed likelihood, are impact cratering, mass wasting, volatile redistribution, wind
erosion, and the effects of a running surface fluid. Impact cratering potentially provides a
compositional and perhaps thermal probe into the crust as well as a means of determining
regional surface ages. Mass wasting can involve everything from the generation of impact
regolith and that regolith’s movement down slope, to the erosion of landforms otherwise held
together by sublimating volatiles. Volatile transport itself can create landforms, such as are seen
in martian polar terrains. Volatile transport, along with general atmospheric winds, can erode,
transport, and create landforms (e.g. sand dunes) from loss but otherwise refractory material.
These major processes, as they may be relvant for the Pluto system will nr reviewed in detail but
subsequent talks.
