MRO probe finds relict salt glacier near Mars equator
https://sputniknews.com/20230318/mro-probe-discovers-relict-salt-glacier-near-mars-equator-study-reveals-1108525659.html
MRO probe finds relict salt glacier near Mars equator, study finds
MRO probe finds relict salt glacier near Mars equator, study finds
A team of planetary scientists has reported finding evidence of a relict glacier in the eastern part of Noctis Labyrinthus. The discovery was made while analyzing data from several instruments of the MRO rover.
2023-03-18T03:49+0000
2023-03-18T03:49+0000
2023-03-18T04:01+0000
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It is now known that there are deposits of water ice in the polar regions of Mars. However, the question of whether there are ice deposits in the middle and equatorial latitudes of the planet remains a subject of debate. A team of planetary scientists led by Pascal Lee of the SETI Institute reported finding evidence of a relict glacier in the eastern part. of the labyrinth of Noctis. The discovery was made while analyzing data from several instruments of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. No water ice was found in the sediments, but hydrated and hydroxylated sulfates were found. These salts were probably formed as a result of the interaction of volcanic ash or pyroclastic sediments with glacial ice in the past. The glacier is 160 kilometers northwest of the Oudemans crater, about 2 to 4 kilometers wide and at least 6 kilometers long. It consists of light sediments with a linear and arc-shaped structure. There are also concentric and wedge-shaped fractures and folds. Over time, the glacier lost all or most of its ice reserves, but salt deposits remained, preserving the glacier’s primary morphology. There may still be some ice inside the glacier, isolated from the outside environment by sediment. A report on the results of the work was presented at the 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC).
https://sputniknews.com/20230309/photos-nasa-spacecraft-captures-strange-circular-sand-dunes-on-red-planet-1108199303.html
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mars, is there water on mars, mro probe, 54th lunar and planetary science conference 54th lpsc, pascal lee, glacier near mars quator, noctis labyrinthus, seti institute
mars, is there water on mars, mro probe, 54th lunar and planetary science conference 54th lpsc, pascal lee, glacier near mars quator, noctis labyrinthus, seti institute
Planetary scientists have found the remains of an ancient glacier near the equator of Mars, which consists mostly of salt deposits. However, it may still contain water ice, isolated from the external environment.
A team of planetary scientists led by Pascal Lee of the SETI Institute reported finding evidence of a relict glacier in the eastern part of Noctis Labyrinthus. The discovery was made while analyzing data from several Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter instruments.
No water ice was found in the sediments, but hydrated and hydroxylated sulfates were found. These salts likely formed as a result of the interaction of volcanic ash or pyroclastic sediments with glacial ice in the past.
“What we found was not ice, but a salt deposit with the detailed morphological characteristics of a glacier,” explains Pascal Lee. “What we think happened here is that salt formed at the top of a glacier while preserving the shape of the ice below, down to details like the fields of crevasse and moraine bands.”
The glacier is 160 kilometers northwest of the Oudemans crater, about 2 to 4 kilometers wide and at least 6 kilometers long. It consists of light sediments with a linear and arc-shaped structure. There are also concentric and wedge-shaped fractures and folds.
“We know about glacial activity on Mars in many places, including near the equator in the more distant past. And we know about recent glacial activity on Mars, but so far only at higher latitudes A relatively young relict glacier there tells us that Mars has been experiencing surface ice lately, even near the equator, which is new,” adds Lee.
Over time, the glacier lost all or most of its ice reserves, but salt deposits remained, preserving the glacier’s primary morphology. Perhaps there is still some amount of ice inside the glacier, isolated from the outside environment by sediments.
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