Permafrost patterns and sediment cycles on Mars
Abstract
First, comparative geomorphological analysis of patterned ground occurring on Mars images with analogs of polygonal forms known from the permafrost areas of the Earth leads to the indubitable conclusion that "permafrost" exists on the Red Planet as well. Especially the "double raised rims" occurring along the polygon boundaries on Mars patterned ground show great resemblance with those observed in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica. They equally suggest "thermal contraction wedges" in the upper subsoil of Mars inferring "seasonal freeze and thaw processes". Second, images of stratified North Polar Cap deposits consisting of ice and dust evoke the presence of deep permafrost and long-term ("climatic") changes as well. In a newly developed spectral analysis programme (ExSpect) it lead to the detection of three sedimentation cycles respectively at 400 Ka, 9 Ka and 4 Ka Mars years which figures are similar to the ones obtained for Earth deposits. Henceforth, sedimentation on Mars may be in planetary resonance with the Earth.
- Publication:
-
Exo-/Astro-Biology
- Pub Date:
- August 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001ESASP.496..239P
- Keywords:
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- Exobiology;
- Mars;
- Permafrost