Devon M. Burr

See Also: Dr. Burr's CV

Research Interest

My research in planetary science is in the field of planetary geomorphology. I specialize in how fluid flow or fluid phase change may have shaped planetary surfaces and what those surface shapes can tell us about the geologic history of that body. Most commonly, I approach a research question through analysis of spacecraft images, augmented with field work on terrestrial analogues.

My dissertation focused on young flood channels on Mars and their bedforms, using similar bedforms found in the Channeled Scabland and Icelandic flood channels to constrain the Martian flood flow conditions. From this basis, I became interested in ground ice features, working with Canadian and Alaskan colleagues to assess the distribution of pingos on Mars. Current research includes the on-going mapping and characterization of Mars’ largest population of sinuous ridges, using terrestrial inverted fluvial channels and glacial eskers as analogues.

Though most of my research has been on Mars, two new projects focus on Titan, the surprisingly Earth-like moon of Saturn. One of these projects involves analysis of multiple datasets from the Cassini mission to the Saturnian system to map and characterize fluvial features on Titan’s surface. The other project entails the refurbishment and use of NASA’s planetary aeolian laboratory to determine the atmospheric conditions and wind speeds responsible for Titan’s vast aeolian dunes.

Recent Publications

Books

Megaflooding on Earth and Mars, (2009) D.M. Burr, V.R. Baker and P.A. Carling (eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Journal Articles (* denotes student author)

Burr, D.M., *M. Chojnacki, and R.M.E. Williams (2009) Inverted fluvial features in the Aeolis/Zephyria Plana region, Mars: Formation mechanism, J. Geophys. Res., submitted.

Burr, D.M., *K.D. Wendell, R.M.E. Williams and J.P. Emery (2009) Inverted fluvial features in the Aeolis/Zephyria Plana region, Mars: paleodischarge estimates, J. Geophys. Res., submitted.

Burr, D.M., *R.E. Jacobsen, *D.L. Roth, C.B. Phillips, K.L. Mitchell, *D. Viola (2009) Fluvial network analysis on Titan: evidence for subsurface structures and west-to-east wind flow, southwestern Xanadu, Geophys. Res. Lett., submitted.

Burr, D.M., (2009) Paleoflooding in the Solar System: an interplanetary comparison. Global and Planetary Change, Special Issue (J. Woodward, P. Brewer, M. Macklin and S. Tooth, eds).  accepted.

Burr, D.M., K.L. Tanaka, and K. Yoshikawa (2009) Pingos on Mars: morphology and distribution.  Planet. Space Sci. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2008.11.003

Burr, D.M., M-T. Enga*, R.M.E. Williams, J.R. Zimbelman, A.D. Howard, T.A. Brennand (2009) Pervasive aqueous paleoflow features near the equator, Mars.  Icarus, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2008.10.014.

Burr, D.M., B.C. Bruno, P.D. Lanagan, L.S. Glaze, W.L. Jaeger, R.J. Soare, J.-M. Wan Bun Tseung, J.A. Skinner, S.M. Baloga (2009) Mesoscale raised rim depression (MRRDs) on Earth: A review of the characteristics, processes, and spatial distributions of analogs for Mars.  Planetary and Space Science, doi:10.1016/j.pss.2008.11.011.

Burr, D.M., L. Wilson, and A.S. Bargery* (2009) Floods from Fossae: a review of Amazonian-aged extensional tectonic megaflood channels on Mars.  In Megaflooding on Earth and Mars, D.M. Burr, V.R. Baker and P.A. Carling (eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Carling, P.A., D.M. Burr, T. Johnsen, and T. Brennand (2009) A review of open-channel megaflood depositional landforms on Earth and Mars.  In Megaflooding on Earth and Mars, D.M. Burr, V.R. Baker and P.A. Carling (eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Wilson, L., A.S. Bargery* and D.M. Burr (2009) Dynamics of fluid flow in Martian outflow channels.  In Megaflooding on Earth and Mars, D.M. Burr, V.R. Baker and P.A. Carling (eds), Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Barnes, J., J. Radebaugh, R.H. Brown, S.Wall, L. Soderblom, J. Lunine, D. Burr, C. Sotin, S. Le Mouelic, S. Rodriguez, B. J. Buratti, R. Clark, K. H. Baines, R. Jaumann, P.D. Nicholson, R.L. Kirk, R. Lopes, R.D. Lorenz, K.Mitchell, C.A. Wood, and the Cassini RADAR Team (2007) Near-Infrared Spectral Mapping of Titan's Mountains and Channels.  J. Geophys. Res. 112 (E11) CiteID E11006.

Keszthelyi, L., R.P. Denlinger, D.R.H. O’Connell, and D.M. Burr (2007) Initial insights from 2.5D hydraulic modeling of floods in Athabasca Valles, Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 34(21), CiteID L21206, doi:10.1029/2007GL031776.

Phillips, C. B, D.M. Burr, and R.A. Beyer (2007) Mass movement within a slope streak on Mars.  Geophys. Res. Lett. 34 (L21202), doi: 10.1029/2007GL031577.

Burr, D.M. and A.H. Parker* (2006) Grjotá Valles and implications for flood sediment deposition on Mars.  Geophys. Res. Lett. 33, L22201, doi:10.1029/2006GL028011.

Burr, D.M., J.P. Emery, R.D. Lorenz, G.C. Collins and P. A. Carling (2006) Sediment transport by liquid overland flow: application to Titan.  Icarus,181, 235-242.

Bruno, B.C., S.A. Fagents, C.W. Hamilton,* D.M. Burr, and S.M. Baloga (2006) Identification of volcanic rootless cones and ice mounds on Earth and Mars: using spatial distribution as a remote sensing tool.  J. Geophys. Res. 111(E6), E06017, doi: 10.1029/2005JE002510.

Burr, D.M., R.J. Soare, J.-M. Wan Bun Tseung and J.P. Emery (2005) Young (late Amazonian), near surface, ground ice features near the equator, Athabasca Valles, Mars.  Icarus 178, 56-73.

Burr, D.M.  (2005) Clustered streamlined forms in Athabasca Valles, Mars: Evidence for sediment deposition during floodwater ponding.  Geomorphology 69, 242-252.

McEwen, A.S., B.S. Preblich*, E.P. Turtle, N.A. Artemieva, M.P. Golombek, M. Hurst, R.L. Kirk, D.M. Burr, and P.R. Christensen, (2005) The Rayed Crater Zunil and Interpretations of Small Impact Craters on Mars.  Icarus 176, 351-381.

J.P. Emery, D.M. Burr , D.P. Cruikshank, R.H. Brown and J. B. Dalton (2005) Near-infrared (0.8-4.0 μm) spectroscopy of Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, and Rhea.  Astronomy and Astrophysics 435, 353-362.

R. J. Soare, D. M. Burr, and J.-M. Wan Bun Tseung* (2005) Possible pingos and a periglacial landscape in northwest Utopia Planitia.  Icarus 174, 373-382.

Burr, D.M. , P.A. Carling, R.A. Beyer* and N. Lancaster (2004) Flood-formed dunes in Athabasca Valles, Mars: morphology, modeling, and implications.  Icarus 171, 68-83.

Burr, D.M.*  (2003) Hydraulic modelling of Athabasca Vallis, Mars. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 48(4), 655-664.

Burr, D.M.*, J.A. Grier, A.S. McEwen, and L.P. Keszthelyi, (2002) Repeated Aqueous Flooding from the Cerberus Fossae: evidence for very recently extant, deep groundwater on Mars.  Icarus 159, 53-73. 

Burr, D.M.* A.S. McEwen and S.E.H. Sakimoto (2002) Recent aqueous floods from the Cerberus Fossae, Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett., 29(1), 10.1029/2001GL013345.

Burr, D.M. and A.S. McEwen, (2002) Recent extreme floods on Mars. In: The Extremes of the Extremes: Extraordinary Floods (ed. by  Á. Snorrason, H. P. Finnsdóttir & M. Moss) (Proc. of a Symp. at Reykjavik, July 2000). Publ. no. 271, IAHS Press, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, UK.

 

 

Contact Information

Devon M. Burr
Assistant Professor
Planetary Science

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
1412 Circle Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-1410

Phone: (865) 974-6010
Email: dburr1@utk.edu