Evidence of extensive glaciation in Deuteronilus Mensae, Mars: Inferences towards multiple glacial events in the past epochs

Sinha, Rishitosh K.; Murty, S. V. S.

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2013.09.002

Cited by 16 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…The midlatitude regions (30°to 60°latitude zone) retain geomorphic evidence of ice-related features that were emplaced during periods of high axial tilt (million-year timescales) (Mustard et al, 2001;Dickson et al, 2012;Souness et al, 2012, Sinha andMurty, 2013;Hartmann et al, 2014). The region also retains geomorphic evidence of features produced by possible fluvial activity in the recent to distant past, such as gullies (Section 4.2) (Malin and Edgett, 2000a;Christensen, 2003;Malin et al, 2006;Johnsson et al, 2014) and layered deposits on crater floors (e.g., Cabrol and Grin, 1999;Malin and Edgett, 2000b;Goudge et al, 2012).…”

Section: Availability Of Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 89%

A New Analysis of Mars “Special Regions”: Findings of the Second MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2)

et al. 2014

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A committee of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) has reviewed and updated the description of Special Regions on Mars as places where terrestrial organisms might replicate (per the COSPAR Planetary Protection Policy). This review and update was conducted by an international team (SR-SAG2) drawn from both the biological science and Mars exploration communities, focused on understanding when and where Special Regions could occur. The study applied recently available data about martian environments and about terrestrial organisms, building on a previous analysis of Mars Special Regions (2006) undertaken by a similar team. Since then, a new body of highly relevant information has been generated from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (launched in 2005) and Phoenix (2007) and data from Mars Express and the twin Mars Exploration Rovers (all 2003). Results have also been gleaned from the Mars Science Laboratory (launched in 2011). In addition to Mars data, there is a considerable body of new data regarding the known environmental limits to life on Earth-including the potential for terrestrial microbial life to survive and replicate under martian environmental conditions. The SR-SAG2 analysis has included an examination of new Mars models relevant to natural environmental variation in water activity and temperature; a review and reconsideration of the current parameters used to define Special Regions; and updated maps and descriptions of the martian environments recommended for treatment as "Uncertain" or "Special" as natural features or those potentially formed by the influence of future landed spacecraft. Significant changes in our knowledge of the capabilities of terrestrial organisms and the existence of possibly habitable martian environments have led to a new appreciation of where Mars Special Regions may be identified and protected. The SR-SAG also considered the impact of Special Regions on potential future human missions to Mars, both as locations of potential resources and as places that should not be inadvertently contaminated by human activity.

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Section: Availability Of Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 89%

A New Analysis of Mars “Special Regions”: Findings of the Second MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2)

et al. 2014

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“…Recent observations suggest that current GLFs are the remnants of a once far larger ice mass (e.g., Dickson et al, 2010;Sinha and Murty, 2013) that was most extensive during a hypothesized last martian glacial maximum, or LMGM (Souness and Hubbard, 2013). Such an expanded former extent has been inferred from detailed regional geomorphological reconstructions, for example identifying former ice limits from variations in surface texture and the existence of distal moraine-like ridges.…”

Section: Glf Extentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have also pointed out that GLFs appear to be distinctive from the underlying ice-rich (LDA or LVF) material onto which they appear to have flowed (e.g., Levy et al, 2007;Baker et al, 2010;Sinha and Murty, 2013). This material contrast has been interpreted as signifying the possibility of a marked age difference between the two surfaces, suggesting two or more glacial events with at least one smallscale or "local" glacial phase advancing over an earlier "regional" glaciation (e.g., Levy et al, 2007;Dickson et al, 2008;Sinha and Murty, 2013).…”

Section: Glf Extentmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Glacier-like forms on Mars

Hubbard

Souness²,

Brough³

2014

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. More than 1300 glacier-like forms (GLFs) are located in Mars' mid-latitudes. These GLFs are predominantly composed of ice-dust mixtures and are visually similar to terrestrial valley glaciers, showing signs of downhill viscous deformation and an expanded former extent. However, several fundamental aspects of their behavior are virtually unknown, including temporal and spatial variations in mass balance, ice motion, landscape erosion and deposition, and hydrology. Here, we investigate the physical glaciology of martian GLFs. We use satellite images of specific examples and case studies to build on existing knowledge relating to (i) GLF current and former extent, exemplified via a GLF located in Phlegra Montes; (ii) indicators of GLF motion, focusing on the presence of surface crevasses on several GLFs; (iii) processes of GLF debris transfer, focusing on mapping and interpreting boulder trains on one GLF located in Protonilus Mensae, the analysis of which suggests a best-estimate mean GLF flow speed of 7.5 mm a −1 ; and (iv) GLF hydrology, focusing on supra-GLF gulley networks. On the basis of this information, we summarize the current state of knowledge of the glaciology of martian GLFs and identify future research avenues.

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“…GLFs and other VFFs (LDA or LVF) have been interpreted as relict remains of once far larger ice masses (Dickson et al, 2008;Sinha and Murty, 2013;Hubbard et al, 2014;Brough et al, 2016), that were most extensive during a hypothesised LMGM (Souness and Hubbard, 2013). For example, in a two-dimensional planform analysis of a GLF in Phlegra Montes, Hubbard et al (2014) noted a set of pronounced ridges resembling terrestrial moraines, encompassing a texturally distinct 'arcuate' terrain, devoid of many impact craters, in the forefield of a GLF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Former extent of glacier-like forms on Mars

Brough

Hubbard

2016

Icarus

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This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2016.03.006Mars? mid-latitude glacier-like forms (GLFs) have undergone substantial mass loss and recession since a hypothesised last martian glacial maximum (LMGM) stand. To date, there is a lack of knowledge of the nature and timing of the LMGM, the subsequent mass loss and whether this mass loss has been spatially variable. Here, we present the results of a population-scale inventory of recessional GLFs, derived from analysis of 1293 GLFs identified within Context Camera (CTX) imagery, to assess the distribution and controls on GLF recession. A total of 436 GLFs were identified showing strong evidence of recession: 197 in the northern hemisphere and 239 in the southern hemisphere. Relative to their parent populations, recessional GLFs are over-represented in the low latitude belts between 25 and 40o and in areas of high relief, suggesting that these zones exert some control over GLF sensitivity and response to forcing. This analysis is complemented by the reconstruction of the maximum extent and morphology of a specific GLF for which High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) derived digital elevation data are available. Using Nye?s (Nye, J. F. [1951] Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond, Ser. A-Mat. Phys. Sci, 207, 554-572) perfect plastic approximation of ice flow applied to multiple flow-lines under an optimum yield strength of 22 kPa, we calculate that the reconstructed GLF has lost an area of 6.86 km2 with a corresponding volume loss of 0.31 km3 since the LMGM. Assuming the loss reconstructed at this GLF occurred at all mid-latitude GLFs yields a total planetary ice loss from Mars? GLFs of 135 km3, similar to the current ice volume in the European Alps on Earth.authorsversionPeer reviewe

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Evidence of extensive glaciation in Deuteronilus Mensae, Mars: Inferences towards multiple glacial events in the past epochs

Cited by 16 publications

References 77 publications

A New Analysis of Mars “Special Regions”: Findings of the Second MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2)

A New Analysis of Mars “Special Regions”: Findings of the Second MEPAG Special Regions Science Analysis Group (SR-SAG2)

Glacier-like forms on Mars

Former extent of glacier-like forms on Mars

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