Abstract
Mars’ 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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 37-49 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Icarus |
Volume | 274 |
Early online date | 19 Mar 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- Mars
- Ices
- Mars climate
- Mars surface
- Geological processes
- Glaciology
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Current and former volume and dynamics of mid-latitude glacier-like forms on Mars
Brough, S. (Author), Hubbard, B. (Supervisor) & Hubbard, A. (Supervisor), 2017Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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