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Science 17 January 1986:
Vol. 231. no. 4735, pp. 249 - 252
DOI: 10.1126/science.231.4735.249
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Articles

Geomorphic Evidence for the Distribution of Ground Ice on Mars

STEVEN W. SQUYRES 1 and MICHAEL H. CARR 2

1 Theoretical Studies Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94305.
2 U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

High-resolution Viking orbiter images show evidence for quasi-viscous relaxation of topography. The relaxation is believed to be due to creep deformation of ice in near-surface materials. The global distribution of the inferred ground ice shows a pronounced latitudinal dependence. The equatorial regions of Mars appear to be ice-poor, while the heavily cratered terrain poleward of ± 30° latitude appears to be ice-rich. The style of creep poleward of ± 30° varies with latitude, possibly due to variations in ice rheology with temperature. The distribution suggests that ice at low latitudes, which is not in equilibrium with the present atmosphere, has been lost via sublimation and diffusion through the regolith, thereby causing a net poleward transport of ice over martian history.

Submitted on August 12, 1985
Accepted on October 11, 1985


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Distribution of Mid-Latitude Ground Ice on Mars from New Impact Craters.
S. Byrne, C. M. Dundas, M. R. Kennedy, M. T. Mellon, A. S. McEwen, S. C. Cull, I. J. Daubar, D. E. Shean, K. D. Seelos, S. L. Murchie, et al. (2009)
Science 325, 1674-1676
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
From the Cover: Formation of gullies on Mars: Link to recent climate history and insolation microenvironments implicate surface water flow origin.
J. W. Head, D. R. Marchant, and M. A. Kreslavsky (2008)
PNAS 105, 13258-13263
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Late Amazonian glaciation at the dichotomy boundary on Mars: Evidence for glacial thickness maxima and multiple glacial phases.
J. L. Dickson, J. W. Head, and D. R. Marchant (2008)
Geology 36, 411-414
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Role of aquicludes in formation of Martian gullies.
M. S. Gilmore and E. L. Phillips (2002)
Geology 30, 1107-1110
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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