I think that the photographic, mathematical and geological analysis of the Martian anomalies should be complemented by the study of their integrated functional engineering profiles. Above I present a very simplified example including the Tholus and the D&M Pyramid. As a mechanical engineer, I always wondered with the geometrical and huge surface of the D&M Pyramid, which resembles a gigantic radiator or heat absorber. The possible function of the D&M Pyramid as a huge water heater and/or circulator, is compatible with the thermal and water necessities of a sub-terrain City or Base on Mars.
I think that our future Mars explorers will some day to copy the Martians! The above closed circuit circulator can be easily modeled to prove that it can work as an electricity free solar circulating pump!
Here just a curious exercise on the Tholus and D&M mechanical facility bunker hypothesis:
(or science fiction if you prefer)
Tholus overall dimensions: 2800 meters base diameter, and 500 meters high.
Possible water "tank" at top: 600 meters diameter, and 300 meters high.
"Tank" volume = pi*(D/2)^2*H = pi*(600/2)^2*300 = 84,800,000 m3
Water daily consumption per capita (@average) = 1 m3/day/person
Water daily consumption per capita (@emergency) = 0,2 m3/day/person
Average tank capacity @ one Earth year = 84,800,000/1/365 = 232,300 persons (aprox.)
Emergency tank capacity @ 232,300 people = 84,000,000/0,2/232,300 = 1,825 Earth days!(aprox.)
See below the USA water consumption per capita. I've considered the average countries (five times less). I think it is a conservative approach, because Martian water consumption could not be greater than ours, and I believe that the Martians were not much different from us, according to what we can see at the Face.
So, if there was a City in Cydonia, my guess is on a population between 200,000 and 300,000 individuals. On a catastrophe situation, it is possible that they've had water enough to resist for more than 1,800 Earth days, thanks to their advanced bunker engineering!
Now let's check the consistency of these Tholus numbers against the expected performance of the D&M Thermal Plant.
Nominal Solar Power that reaches Earth's surface, 8 hour summer day, 40 degree latitude = 600 Watts per sq. meter
Considering that the Sun energy on Mars is proportional to the square of the ratio between Earth's and Mars's orbits, then:
Assume Nominal Solar Power on Mars, 8 hour summer day, 40 degree latitude = 600*(1/1.6)^2=234 Watts per sq.meter
I am intentionally neglecting the albedo, the atmosphere heat absorption, and the latitude differences between the two Planets and Sites. Actually this assumption will produce a conservative calculation due to the Mars's smaller albedo (approx.= 0.16) compared to Earth's albedo (approx.= 0.37), and because of Mars's slender and dry atmosphere. In fact, I believe that the climatic catastrophe that has destroyed Mars's atmosphere thermal capacity, has forced the Martians to desperately obtain energy by the use of huge surface solar heat absorbers!
Assume the surface Area of the D&M = 5*1400*1100/2= 4,000,000 sq.meters
Assume 15% heat absorber efficiency. Then the D&M power could be:
D&M Maximum Nominal Thermal Power = 4,000,000*234*15%= 140,400,000 Watts!
OR 140,400,000/746 Watts per HP = 188,400 HP approximately!
Now let's check the consistency of the temperature increase that the D&M Thermal Plant could deliver for the Martians:
Assume 50% service factor for the water flow
Specific Heat of Water = 4,187 Joules/kg/deg.Celsius
D&M Water Flow = 232,300persons*1000liters/person/24hours*50% = 4,839,583 Liters per hour (e.g. Lt/hr)
D&M Water Mass Flow = 4,839,583 Lt/hr*1kg/Lt/3,600sec/hr = 1,344 kg/sec
D&M Temperature Rise = 140,400,000 Watts/4,187/1,344 = 24.95 degrees Celsius!
Verification of the nominal diameter of the possible underground pipework:
Assume 0.5 m/s water velocity for low pressure loss, and 100% service factor
Pipe Section Area = 2*1,344kg/sec/1000kg/m3/0.5m/s = 5.4m2
Pipe Diameter = SQRT (4*5.4/Pi) = 2.6 meters
So, with an IR image resolution better than 2.6 meters/pixel we should be capable to see those underground piping.
SEE AN INDEPENDENT ILLUSTRATION (by MacTonnies/Zak!)
The D&M Pyramid could maintain the internal comfort temperature of the City 25 degrees Celsius above the low liquid water temperature.
If we consider an initial water condition of zero degrees Celsius, then the ambient temperature provided by the D&M could be around 25 Deg.Celsius! (77F)
I think that the above D&M and Tholus numbers are mutually consistent and agree with the necessities of a Martian City or Base with a population ranging between 200,000 and 300,000 individuals.
Mike
MarsProxy