Title: Granular Geomorphology

Author (Talk): Troy Shinbrot, Rutgers University

Abstract:

A variety of delightful patterns arise in geological contexts, both on earth and beyond. On the small scale, these include small scale sculptures such as tafoni (complex erosional patterns) and flower- razor- shaped concretions on Mars. On larger scales, several of Saturn's moons, e.g. Pan and Atlas, take the form of empanadas or ravioli, and Martian landforms form unique teardrop shapes. In this short talk, I briefly display laboratory versions of similar structures, with the hope of provoking ideas for new lab-scale analogues of exotic geological morphologies.