Difference between revisions of "Hellas quadrangle"

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The Hellas quadrangle covers the area from 30° to 65° south latitude and 240° to 300° west longitude (120-60 E ). When an asteroid slammed into Mars to create a big hole that makes up some of this quadrange, many unbelievable events happened—it was worse than any science fiction movie.  Within the Hellas quadrangle lies the classic features Hellas Planitia and Promethei Terra. Giovanni Schiaparelli came up with the name Hellas (which in Greek means 'Greece').<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellas_Planitia#:~:text=Before%20Giovanni%20Schiaparelli%20gave%20it,produced%20%22the%20first%20really%20truthful</ref>  The name was approved in 1973.<ref>https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/</ref>  Many interesting and mysterious features have been discovered in the Hellas quadrangle, including the giant river valleys Dao Vallis, Niger Vallis, Harmakhis, and Reull Vallis—all of which may have contributed water to a lake in the Hellas basin in the distant past.<ref>Carr | first=Michael H. | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn= 978-0-521-87201-0 | title= The Surface of Mars |date=2006 |</ref> <ref> Moore | first1= J | last2= Wilhelms | first2= Don E. | title= Hellas as a possible site of ancient ice-covered lakes on Mars | journal= Icarus | volume= 154 | issue= 2 |pages= 258–276 | date= 2001 | doi = 10.1006/icar.2001.6736 | </ref> <ref>Cabrol, N. and E. Grim (eds).  2010.  Lakes on Mars</ref>  Many places in the Hellas quadrangle show signs that the ground is full of ice, especially with glacier-like flow features.
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The Hellas quadrangle covers the area from 30° to 65° south latitude and 240° to 300° west longitude (120-60 E ). When an asteroid slammed into Mars to create a big hole that makes up some of this quadrange, many unbelievable events happened—it was worse than any science fiction movie.  Within the Hellas quadrangle lies the classic features Hellas Planitia and Promethei Terra. Giovanni Schiaparelli came up with the name Hellas (which in Greek means 'Greece').<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellas_Planitia#:~:text=Before%20Giovanni%20Schiaparelli%20gave%20it,produced%20%22the%20first%20really%20truthful</ref>  The name was approved in 1973.<ref>https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/</ref>  Many interesting and mysterious features have been discovered in the Hellas quadrangle, including the giant river valleys Dao Vallis, Niger Vallis, Harmakhis, and Reull Vallis—all of which may have contributed water to a lake in the Hellas basin in the distant past.<ref>Carr | first=Michael H. | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn= 978-0-521-87201-0 | title= The Surface of Mars |date=2006 |</ref> <ref>Moore | first1= J | last2= Wilhelms | first2= Don E. | title= Hellas as a possible site of ancient ice-covered lakes on Mars | journal= Icarus | volume= 154 | issue= 2 |pages= 258–276 | date= 2001 | doi = 10.1006/icar.2001.6736 | </ref> <ref>Cabrol, N. and E. Grim (eds).  2010.  Lakes on Mars</ref>  Many places in the Hellas quadrangle show signs that the ground is full of ice, especially with glacier-like flow features.
  
 
In this article, some of the best pictures from a number of spacecraft will show what the landscape looks like in this region. The origins and significance of all features will be explained as they are currently understood.  
 
In this article, some of the best pictures from a number of spacecraft will show what the landscape looks like in this region. The origins and significance of all features will be explained as they are currently understood.  
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==Results of asteroid collision==
 
==Results of asteroid collision==
  
The physics of this great event boggles the mind.  Studies suggest that when an impact created the Hellas Basin, the entire surface of Mars was heated hundreds of degrees, 70 meters of molted rock fell on the planet, and an atmosphere of gaseous rock was formed.  Think about hot, molten rock falling to a depth of a 21 story building.  On Earth that would cover all homes and most buildings.  This rock atmosphere was 10 times as thick as the Earth's atmosphere.  In a few days, the rock would have condensed out and covered the whole planet with an additional 10 m of molten rock.<ref>Carr | first=Michael H. | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn= 978-0-521-87201-0 | title= The Surface of Mars |date=2006 |</ref> When all this rock cooled all the planet would be covered with rock that was as deep as a 24 story building is tall.  And this is not made up folks—the proof is the big hole called the Hellas Basin.  Imagine if such a thing happened on the Earth.
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The physics of this great event boggles the mind. Much of the atmosphere may have been removed by the impact.<ref> Melosh H.J., Vickery
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A.M. (1989) Nature 338</ref>  Also,  torrential rains may have fallen all over the planet.<ref>Palumbo A.M., Head J.W. (2018)
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MAPS 53; [9] Moore J.M., Wilhelms D.E. (2001) Icarus 154</ref> Studies suggest that when an impact created the Hellas Basin, the entire surface of Mars was heated hundreds of degrees, 70 meters of molted rock fell on the planet, and an atmosphere of gaseous rock was formed.  Think about hot, molten rock falling to a depth of a 21 story building.  On Earth that would cover all homes and most buildings.  This rock atmosphere was 10 times as thick as the Earth's atmosphere.  In a few days, the rock would have condensed out and covered the whole planet with an additional 10 m of molten rock.<ref>Carr | first=Michael H. | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn= 978-0-521-87201-0 | title= The Surface of Mars |date=2006 |</ref> When all this rock cooled all the planet would be covered with rock that was as deep as a 24 story building is tall.  And this is not made up folks—the proof is the big hole called the Hellas Basin.  Imagine if such a thing happened on the Earth.
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On the opposite side of the planet is the [[Tharsis]] bulge.  The vulcanism there may have been formed as part of the [[Chaotic Terrain]] formed from massive impacts.
  
 
==Strange surfaces—Origin Unknown==
 
==Strange surfaces—Origin Unknown==
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==Giant Lake==
 
==Giant Lake==
  
Early in the planet's history, it is believed that a giant lake existed in the Hellas Basin.<ref>Voelker, M., et al.  2016.  DISTRIBUTION AND EVOLUTION OF LACUSTRINE AND FLUVIAL FEATURES IN HELLASPLANITIA, MARS, BASED ON PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF GRID-MAPPING.  47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 1228.pdf.</ref>  Parts of the Hellas Basin are in three different quadrangles:  Hellas, Noachis, and Iapygia.  Possible shorelines have been discovered.  These are evident in alternating benches and scarps visible in Mars orbiting camera narrow-angle images. In addition, Mars orbiting laser altimeter (MOLA) data show that the contacts of these sedimentary units mark contours of constant elevation for thousands of km, and in one case all around the basin. Channels, believed to be formed by water, enter into the basin.  The Hellas drainage basin may be almost one-fifth that of the entire northern plains.  A lake in Hellas in today's Martian climate would form a thick ice at the top that would eventually sublimate away. That is the ice would turn directly from a solid to a gas.  This is similar to how dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) behaves on Earth.<ref> Moore, J; Wilhelms, Don E. (2001). "Hellas as a possible site of ancient ice-covered lakes on Mars". Icarus. 154 (2): 258–276.</ref>  Glacial features ( moraines, drumlins, and eskers) have been found that may have been formed when the water froze.<ref> Carr, Michael H. (2006). The Surface of Mars. Cambridge University Press.</ref>  <ref>Kargel |first1= J. |first2= R. |last2=Strom |date=  1991 |title=  Terrestrial glacial eskers: analogs for martian sinuous ridges | journal=  LPSC  | volume=XXII | pages=  683–684 |</ref>  
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Early in the planet's history, it is believed that a giant lake existed in the Hellas Basin.<ref>Voelker, M., et al.  2016.  DISTRIBUTION AND EVOLUTION OF LACUSTRINE AND FLUVIAL FEATURES IN HELLASPLANITIA, MARS, BASED ON PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF GRID-MAPPING.  47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 1228.pdf.</ref>  Parts of the Hellas Basin are in three different quadrangles:  Hellas, Noachis, and Iapygia.  Possible shorelines have been discovered.  These are evident in alternating benches and scarps visible in Mars orbiting camera narrow-angle images. In addition, Mars orbiting laser altimeter (MOLA) data show that the contacts of these sedimentary units mark contours of constant elevation for thousands of km, and in one case all around the basin. Channels, believed to be formed by water, enter into the basin.  The Hellas drainage basin may be almost one-fifth that of the entire northern plains.  A lake in Hellas in today's Martian climate would form a thick ice at the top that would eventually [[Sublimation|Sublimate]]. That is the ice would turn directly from a solid to a gas.<ref>Moore, J; Wilhelms, Don E. (2001). "Hellas as a possible site of ancient ice-covered lakes on Mars". Icarus. 154 (2): 258–276.</ref>  Glacial features ( moraines, drumlins, and eskers) have been found that may have been formed when the water froze.<ref>Carr, Michael H. (2006). The Surface of Mars. Cambridge University Press.</ref>  <ref>Kargel |first1= J. |first2= R. |last2=Strom |date=  1991 |title=  Terrestrial glacial eskers: analogs for martian sinuous ridges | journal=  LPSC  | volume=XXII | pages=  683–684 |</ref>  
  
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Image:Hellas basin topo.jpg|Hellas Basin Area topography. Crater depth is 7152 m<ref>Martian Weather Observation Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine MGS radio science measured 11.50 mbar at 34.4° S 59.6° E -7152 meters.</ref> (23,000 ft) below the standard topographic datum of Mars.
 
Image:Hellas basin topo.jpg|Hellas Basin Area topography. Crater depth is 7152 m<ref>Martian Weather Observation Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine MGS radio science measured 11.50 mbar at 34.4° S 59.6° E -7152 meters.</ref> (23,000 ft) below the standard topographic datum of Mars.
 
Image:False color of Hellas Planitia.jpeg|Hellas Basin with graph showing the great depth of the crater. It is the deepest crater on Mars and has the highest surface pressure: 1155 pascal (Pa)<ref>Martian Weather Observation Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine MGS radio science measured 11.50 mbar at 34.4° S 59.6° E -7152 meters.</ref>  (11.55 millibar, 0.17 psi, or 0.01 atm).
 
Image:False color of Hellas Planitia.jpeg|Hellas Basin with graph showing the great depth of the crater. It is the deepest crater on Mars and has the highest surface pressure: 1155 pascal (Pa)<ref>Martian Weather Observation Archived 2008-05-31 at the Wayback Machine MGS radio science measured 11.50 mbar at 34.4° S 59.6° E -7152 meters.</ref>  (11.55 millibar, 0.17 psi, or 0.01 atm).
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Many features on Mars, including ones in Hellas quadrangle, are believed to contain large amounts of ice.  The Hellas region displays many strange and beautiful landscapes.  Most do not have their counterparts on the Earth.  Researchers have struggled to explain these features and others.  Mars holds many mysteries.  However, after so much coverage by satellites with increasing better cameras, we have made major strides in understanding the mysteries of the Red Planet.  Some aspects of the planet are still debated.  We do understand much of the nature of Mars, but some details have yet to be worked out.   
 
Many features on Mars, including ones in Hellas quadrangle, are believed to contain large amounts of ice.  The Hellas region displays many strange and beautiful landscapes.  Most do not have their counterparts on the Earth.  Researchers have struggled to explain these features and others.  Mars holds many mysteries.  However, after so much coverage by satellites with increasing better cameras, we have made major strides in understanding the mysteries of the Red Planet.  Some aspects of the planet are still debated.  We do understand much of the nature of Mars, but some details have yet to be worked out.   
  
Most of the strangeness of the Hellas region relates to climate change.  Indeed, most of the whole planet’s surface appearance is driven by drastic and frequent climate changes.  These changes are due to basic physics.  Seasons on the planets, including the Earth, are caused by the tilt of a planet's rotational axis.  Because the Earth has a moon of considerable mass, the Earth’s axis does not change much from its usual 23.5 degrees.  However, Mars lacks a large moon; consequently its tilt has even been greater than 80 degrees.  Note that its tilt at 25 degrees is almost the same as ours.  <ref>Touma | first1 = J. | last2 = Wisdom | first2 = J. | year = 1993 | title = The Chaotic Obliquity of Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 259 | issue = 5099| pages = 1294–1297 | doi=10.1126/science.259.5099.1294 | pmid=17732249|</ref> <ref> Laskar | first1 = J. | last2 = Correia | first2 = A. | last3 = Gastineau | first3 = M. | last4 = Joutel | first4 = F. | last5 = Levrard | first5 = B. | last6 = Robutel | first6 = P. | year = 2004 | title = Long term evolution and chaotic diffusion of the insolation quantities of Mars | url =https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00000860/file/Ma_2004.laskar_prep.pdf | journal = Icarus | volume = 170 | issue = 2| pages = 343–364 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.04.005 | </ref>   
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Most of the strangeness of the Hellas region relates to climate change.  Indeed, most of the whole planet’s surface appearance is driven by drastic and frequent climate changes.  These changes are due to basic physics.  Seasons on the planets, including the Earth, are caused by the tilt of a planet's rotational axis.  Because the Earth has a moon of considerable mass, the Earth’s axis does not change much from its usual 23.5 degrees.  However, Mars lacks a large moon; consequently its tilt has even been greater than 80 degrees.  Note that its tilt at 25 degrees is almost the same as ours.  <ref>Touma | first1 = J. | last2 = Wisdom | first2 = J. | year = 1993 | title = The Chaotic Obliquity of Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 259 | issue = 5099| pages = 1294–1297 | doi=10.1126/science.259.5099.1294 | pmid=17732249|</ref> <ref>Laskar | first1 = J. | last2 = Correia | first2 = A. | last3 = Gastineau | first3 = M. | last4 = Joutel | first4 = F. | last5 = Levrard | first5 = B. | last6 = Robutel | first6 = P. | year = 2004 | title = Long term evolution and chaotic diffusion of the insolation quantities of Mars | url =https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00000860/file/Ma_2004.laskar_prep.pdf | journal = Icarus | volume = 170 | issue = 2| pages = 343–364 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.04.005 | </ref>   
Studies have shown that when the tilt of Mars reaches 45 degrees from its current 25 degrees, ice is no longer stable at the poles.  As a result, it will disappear.<ref>Head | first2 = J. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D. | last4 = Kowalewski | first4 = D. | year = 2008 | title = Identification of sublimation-type thermal contraction crack polygons at the proposed NASA Phoenix landing site: Implications for substrate properties and climate-driven morphological evolution | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume =  35| issue = 4| pages = L04202 | doi = 10.1029/2007GL032813 | </ref>  Furthermore, at this high tilt, stores of solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) sublimate, thereby increasing the atmospheric pressure.  This increased pressure allows more dust to be held in the atmosphere.  With more dust, more ice will freeze onto the dust.  Eventually, moisture in the atmosphere will fall as snow or as ice frozen onto dust grains.  Calculations suggest this material will concentrate in the mid-latitudes.  And Hellas is in the mid-latitudes of the southern hemisphere.<ref> Levy | first1 = J. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D. | year = 2009 | title = Thermal contraction crack polygons on Mars: Classification, distribution, and climate implications from HiRISE observations | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume =  114| issue = E1| pages = E01007 |</ref> <ref>Hauber, E., D. Reiss, M. Ulrich, F. Preusker, F. Trauthan, M. Zanetti, H. Hiesinger, R. Jaumann, L. Johansson, A. Johnsson, S. Van Gaselt, M. Olvmo.  2011.  Landscape evolution in Martian mid-latitude regions:  insights from analogous periglacial landforms in Svalbard.  In: Balme, M., A. Bargery, C. Gallagher, S. Guta (eds). Martian Geomorphology.  Geological Society, London.  Special Publications: 356.  111-131</ref>   
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Studies have shown that when the tilt of Mars reaches 45 degrees from its current 25 degrees, ice is no longer stable at the poles.  As a result, it will disappear.<ref>Head | first2 = J. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D. | last4 = Kowalewski | first4 = D. | year = 2008 | title = Identification of sublimation-type thermal contraction crack polygons at the proposed NASA Phoenix landing site: Implications for substrate properties and climate-driven morphological evolution | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume =  35| issue = 4| pages = L04202 | doi = 10.1029/2007GL032813 | </ref>  Furthermore, at this high tilt, stores of solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) sublimate, thereby increasing the atmospheric pressure.  This increased pressure allows more dust to be held in the atmosphere.  With more dust, more ice will freeze onto the dust.  Eventually, moisture in the atmosphere will fall as snow or as ice frozen onto dust grains.  Calculations suggest this material will concentrate in the mid-latitudes.  And Hellas is in the mid-latitudes of the southern hemisphere.<ref>Levy | first1 = J. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D. | year = 2009 | title = Thermal contraction crack polygons on Mars: Classification, distribution, and climate implications from HiRISE observations | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume =  114| issue = E1| pages = E01007 |</ref> <ref>Hauber, E., D. Reiss, M. Ulrich, F. Preusker, F. Trauthan, M. Zanetti, H. Hiesinger, R. Jaumann, L. Johansson, A. Johnsson, S. Van Gaselt, M. Olvmo.  2011.  Landscape evolution in Martian mid-latitude regions:  insights from analogous periglacial landforms in Svalbard.  In: Balme, M., A. Bargery, C. Gallagher, S. Guta (eds). Martian Geomorphology.  Geological Society, London.  Special Publications: 356.  111-131</ref>   
  
Using decades of data from orbiting satellites together with general principles about weather and climate, researchers have developed theories or models that explain why Mars looks like it does.  They call these models or theories general circulation models.  These theories predict accumulations of ice-rich dust (which becomes mantle)  in the same areas where ice-rich features are found.<ref>Laskar, J.; Correia, A.; Gastineau, M.; Joutel, F.; Levrard, B.; Robutel, P. (2004). "Long term evolution and chaotic diffusion of the insolation quantities of Mars" (PDF). Icarus. 170 (2): 343–364.</ref>
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Using decades of data from orbiting satellites together with general principles about weather and climate, researchers have developed theories or models that explain why Mars looks like it does.  They call these models or theories general circulation models.  These theories predict accumulations of ice-rich dust (which becomes permafrost, also called 'mantle')  in the same areas where ice-rich features are found.<ref>Laskar, J.; Correia, A.; Gastineau, M.; Joutel, F.; Levrard, B.; Robutel, P. (2004). "Long term evolution and chaotic diffusion of the insolation quantities of Mars" (PDF). Icarus. 170 (2): 343–364.</ref>
When the tilt begins to return to lower values, the ice sublimates (turns directly to a gas) and leaves behind a lag of dust.<ref>Mellon | first1 = M. | last2 = Jakosky | first2 = B. | year = 1995 | title = The distribution and behavior of Martian ground ice during past and present epochs | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/815bfd93bdb19325e03e08556d145fa470112e4e| journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 100 | issue = E6| pages = 11781–11799 |</ref> <ref> Schorghofer | first1 = N | year = 2007 | title = Dynamics of ice ages on Mars | url = | journal = Nature | volume = 449 | issue = 7159| pages = 192–194 |</ref>  This lag deposit caps the underlying material so with each cycle of high tilt levels, some ice-rich mantle remains behind.<ref>Madeleine, J., F. Forget, J. Head, B. Levrard, F. Montmessin. 2007.  Exploring the northern mid-latitude glaciation with a general circulation model.  In:  Seventh International Conference on Mars.  Abstract 3096.</ref>
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When the tilt begins to return to lower values, the ice sublimates (turns directly to a gas) and leaves behind a lag of dust.<ref>Mellon | first1 = M. | last2 = Jakosky | first2 = B. | year = 1995 | title = The distribution and behavior of Martian ground ice during past and present epochs | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/815bfd93bdb19325e03e08556d145fa470112e4e| journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 100 | issue = E6| pages = 11781–11799 |</ref> <ref>Schorghofer | first1 = N | year = 2007 | title = Dynamics of ice ages on Mars | url = | journal = Nature | volume = 449 | issue = 7159| pages = 192–194 |</ref>  This lag deposit caps the underlying material so with each cycle of high tilt levels, some ice-rich mantle remains behind.<ref>Madeleine, J., F. Forget, J. Head, B. Levrard, F. Montmessin. 2007.  Exploring the northern mid-latitude glaciation with a general circulation model.  In:  Seventh International Conference on Mars.  Abstract 3096.</ref>
 
After many, many cycles of mantle accumulation some places, especially the Hellas region, accumulate very thick deposits of mantle, technically called latitude dependent mantle (because its occurrence depends on the latitude).  Some parts of the mantle may have changed into solid ice in a manner analogous to how snow turns into ice in our Earth’s glaciers. The following pictures show expressions of this mantle in the Hellas region.
 
After many, many cycles of mantle accumulation some places, especially the Hellas region, accumulate very thick deposits of mantle, technically called latitude dependent mantle (because its occurrence depends on the latitude).  Some parts of the mantle may have changed into solid ice in a manner analogous to how snow turns into ice in our Earth’s glaciers. The following pictures show expressions of this mantle in the Hellas region.
  
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The image at the right shows a good view of this smooth mantle around Niger Vallis, as observed with HiRISE.
 
The image at the right shows a good view of this smooth mantle around Niger Vallis, as observed with HiRISE.
  
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45070 1440mantlelayers.jpg|Smooth mantle with layers
 
45070 1440mantlelayers.jpg|Smooth mantle with layers
  
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What happens next is that cracks appear in the surface.  Stress is suggested to initiate a fracture process that produces cracks.  Cracks expose more surfaces, and consequently more ice can escape into the planet's thin atmosphere.  Conditions on Mars are such that the process called sublimation dominates.  In this process ice will change directly into a gas—rather than melting into a liquid first.  Dry ice behaves in a similar fashion on the Earth.  On Mars sublimation has been observed when the Phoenix lander uncovered chunks of ice that disappeared in a few days.<ref>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080619.html Bright Chunks at ''Phoenix'' Lander's Mars Site Must Have Been Ice – Official NASA press release (19.06.2008)</ref> <ref>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080619.html</ref>  
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What happens next is that cracks appear in the surface.  Stress is suggested to initiate a fracture process that produces cracks.  Cracks expose more surfaces, and consequently more ice can escape into the planet's thin atmosphere.  Conditions on Mars are such that the process called [[Sublimation]] dominates.  On Mars sublimation has been observed when the Phoenix lander uncovered chunks of ice that disappeared in a few days.<ref>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080619.html Bright Chunks at ''Phoenix'' Lander's Mars Site Must Have Been Ice – Official NASA press release (19.06.2008)</ref> <ref>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/phoenix/news/phoenix-20080619.html</ref>  
 
   
 
   
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Image:Ice sublimating in the Dodo-Goldilocks trench.gif|Die-sized clumps of bright material in the enlarged "Dodo-Goldilocks" trench vanished over the course of four days, implying that they were composed of ice which sublimated following exposure.  those chunks are in the lower left of the trench.<ref>Smith, P., et al.  2009.  H<sub>2</sub>O at the Phoenix Landing Site.  Science: 325, 58-61.</ref>
 
Image:Ice sublimating in the Dodo-Goldilocks trench.gif|Die-sized clumps of bright material in the enlarged "Dodo-Goldilocks" trench vanished over the course of four days, implying that they were composed of ice which sublimated following exposure.  those chunks are in the lower left of the trench.<ref>Smith, P., et al.  2009.  H<sub>2</sub>O at the Phoenix Landing Site.  Science: 325, 58-61.</ref>
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In addition, HiRISE has seen fresh craters with ice at the bottom. HiRISE, a powerful telescope in orbit around the planet, observed these ice deposit disappear over time.<ref>Byrne, S. et al.  2009.  Distribution of Mid-Latitude Ground Ice on Mars from New Impact Craters: 329.1674-1676</ref>
 
In addition, HiRISE has seen fresh craters with ice at the bottom. HiRISE, a powerful telescope in orbit around the planet, observed these ice deposit disappear over time.<ref>Byrne, S. et al.  2009.  Distribution of Mid-Latitude Ground Ice on Mars from New Impact Craters: 329.1674-1676</ref>
 
Eventually, small cracks become large canyons or troughs in the mantle. Small cracks often contain small pits and chains of pits.<ref>Morgenstern, A., et al.  2007</ref> <ref name="Baker, D. 2015">Baker, D., J. Head.  2015.  Extensive Middle Amazonian mantling of debris aprons and plains in Deuteronilus Mensae, Mars:  Implication for the record of mid-latitude glaciation.  Icarus: 260, 269-288.</ref>  When parts of this many meters deep mantle start to have cracks, sublimation takes over and many strange landscapes are created.  HiRISE has imaged many of these scenes.  Pictures in this article show many of these exotically beautiful forms.   
 
Eventually, small cracks become large canyons or troughs in the mantle. Small cracks often contain small pits and chains of pits.<ref>Morgenstern, A., et al.  2007</ref> <ref name="Baker, D. 2015">Baker, D., J. Head.  2015.  Extensive Middle Amazonian mantling of debris aprons and plains in Deuteronilus Mensae, Mars:  Implication for the record of mid-latitude glaciation.  Icarus: 260, 269-288.</ref>  When parts of this many meters deep mantle start to have cracks, sublimation takes over and many strange landscapes are created.  HiRISE has imaged many of these scenes.  Pictures in this article show many of these exotically beautiful forms.   
Changes in Mars's orbit and tilt cause significant changes in the distribution of water ice from Polar Regions down to latitudes equivalent to Texas.  During certain climate period’s, water vapor leaves polar ice and enters the atmosphere. The water returns to the ground at lower latitudes as deposits of frost or snow mixed generously with dust. The atmosphere of Mars contains a great deal of fine dust particles.  Water vapor condenses on the particles; consequently, they fall down to the ground due to the additional weight of the water coating.  This material that falls, along with snow lands in certain places on Mars.  A great deal lands in the Hellas region.  It appears as a smooth covering.  Due to its great age, the Martian surface is very irregular, but where mantle has accumulated it is smooth.  When ice at the top of the mantling layer goes back into the atmosphere, it leaves behind dust, which insulates the remaining ice.<ref> author=MLA NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory |date=December 18, 2003 | title= Mars May Be Emerging From An Ice Age |work= ScienceDaily |accessdate=February 19, 2009 |url= https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003</ref>
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Changes in Mars's orbit and tilt cause significant changes in the distribution of water ice from Polar Regions down to latitudes equivalent to Texas.  During certain climate period’s, water vapor leaves polar ice and enters the atmosphere. The water returns to the ground at lower latitudes as deposits of frost or snow mixed generously with dust. The atmosphere of Mars contains a great deal of fine dust particles.  Water vapor condenses on the particles; consequently, they fall down to the ground due to the additional weight of the water coating.  This material that falls, along with snow lands in certain places on Mars.  A great deal lands in the Hellas region.  It appears as a smooth covering.  Due to its great age, the Martian surface is very irregular, but where mantle has accumulated it is smooth.  When ice at the top of the mantling layer goes back into the atmosphere, it leaves behind dust, which insulates the remaining ice.<ref>author=MLA NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory |date=December 18, 2003 | title= Mars May Be Emerging From An Ice Age |work= ScienceDaily |accessdate=February 19, 2009 |url= https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003</ref>
  
 
==Lobate debris aprons (LDA)==
 
==Lobate debris aprons (LDA)==
  
One very important feature common in east Hellas are piles of material surrounding cliffs.  This formation is called a lobate debris apron (LDA).  Recently, research with the Shallow Radar on the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] has provided strong evidence that the LDAs are glaciers that are covered with a thin layer of rocks.<ref> Head | first1= JW | last2= Neukum | first2= G | last3= Jaumann | first3= R | last4= Hiesinger | first4= H | last5= Hauber | first5= E | last6= Carr | first6= M | last7= Masson | first7= P | last8= Foing | first8= B | last9= Hoffmann | first9= H | last10= Kreslavsky | first10= M. | last11= Werner | first11= S. | last12= Milkovich | first12= S. | last13= Van Gasselt | first13= S. | last14= Co-Investigator Team | first14= The Hrsc | title= Tropical to mid-latitude snow and ice accumulation, flow and glaciation on Mars | journal= Nature | volume= 434 | issue= 7031 |pages= 346–350 | date= 2005 | pmid = 15772652 | doi= 10.1038/nature03359 |</ref> <ref>http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2008/04/martian-glaciers</ref> <ref> Plaut | first1= Jeffrey J. | last2= Safaeinili | first2= Ali | last3= Holt | first3= John W. | last4= Phillips | first4= Roger J. | last5= Head | first5= James W. | last6= Seu | first6= Roberto | last7= Putzig | first7= Nathaniel E. | last8= Frigeri | first8= Alessandro | title= Radar Evidence for Ice in Lobate Debris Aprons in the Mid-Northern Latitudes of Mars | journal=Geophysical Research Letters | volume= 36 | issue= 2 | pages= n/a | date= 2009 |</ref>  <ref>http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2290.pdf | </ref> <ref>Radar Sounding Evidence for Ice within Lobate Debris Aprons near Hellas Basin, Mid-Southern Latitudes of Mars |http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2441.pdf | journal = Lunar and Planetary Science |volume=XXXIX | issue = 1391 | pages = 2441 |date=2008 |last1= Holt | first=J.W.| last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Plaut | first3 = J. J. | last4 = Young | first4 = D. A. | last5 = Head | first5 = J. W. | last6 = Phillips | first6 = R. J. | last7 = Campbell | first7 = B. A. | last8 = Carter | first8 = L. M. | last9 = Gim | first9 = Y. | last10 = Seu | </ref>  Large amounts of water ice are believed to be in the LDAs.  Available evidence strongly suggests that the eastern part of Hellas accumulated snow in the past.  When the tilt (obliquity) of Mars increases the southern ice cap releases large amounts of water vapor.  Climate models predict that when this occurs, water vapor condenses and falls where LDAs are located.  The tilt of the earth changes little because our relatively large moon keeps it stable.  The two tiny Martian moons do not stabilize their planet, so the rotational axis of Mars undergoes large variations.<ref> Holt | first1 = J. W. | last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Plaut | first3 = J. J. | last4 = Head | first4 = J. W. | last5 = Phillips | first5 = R. J. | last6 = Seu | first6 = R. | last7 = Kempf | first7 = S. D. | last8 = Choudhary | first8 = P. | last9 = Young | first9 = D. A. | last10 = Putzig | first10 = N. E. | last11 = Biccari | first11 = D. | last12 = Gim | first12 = Y. | title = Radar Sounding Evidence for Buried Glaciers in the Southern Mid-Latitudes of Mars | journal = Science | volume = 322 | issue = 5905 | pages = 1235–8 | date = 2008 | pmid = 19023078 | doi = 10.1126/science.1164246 | </ref>  Lobate debris aprons may be a major source of water for future Mars colonists.  Their major advantages over other sources of Martian water are that they can easily mapped from orbit and they are closer to the equator, where manned missions are more likely to land.
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One very important feature common in east Hellas are piles of material surrounding cliffs.  This formation is called a lobate debris apron (LDA).  Recently, research with the Shallow Radar on the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] has provided strong evidence that the LDAs are glaciers that are covered with a thin layer of rocks.<ref>Head | first1= JW | last2= Neukum | first2= G | last3= Jaumann | first3= R | last4= Hiesinger | first4= H | last5= Hauber | first5= E | last6= Carr | first6= M | last7= Masson | first7= P | last8= Foing | first8= B | last9= Hoffmann | first9= H | last10= Kreslavsky | first10= M. | last11= Werner | first11= S. | last12= Milkovich | first12= S. | last13= Van Gasselt | first13= S. | last14= Co-Investigator Team | first14= The Hrsc | title= Tropical to mid-latitude snow and ice accumulation, flow and glaciation on Mars | journal= Nature | volume= 434 | issue= 7031 |pages= 346–350 | date= 2005 | pmid = 15772652 | doi= 10.1038/nature03359 |</ref> <ref>http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2008/04/martian-glaciers</ref> <ref>Plaut | first1= Jeffrey J. | last2= Safaeinili | first2= Ali | last3= Holt | first3= John W. | last4= Phillips | first4= Roger J. | last5= Head | first5= James W. | last6= Seu | first6= Roberto | last7= Putzig | first7= Nathaniel E. | last8= Frigeri | first8= Alessandro | title= Radar Evidence for Ice in Lobate Debris Aprons in the Mid-Northern Latitudes of Mars | journal=Geophysical Research Letters | volume= 36 | issue= 2 | pages= n/a | date= 2009 |</ref>  <ref>http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2290.pdf | </ref> <ref>Radar Sounding Evidence for Ice within Lobate Debris Aprons near Hellas Basin, Mid-Southern Latitudes of Mars |http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2441.pdf | journal = Lunar and Planetary Science |volume=XXXIX | issue = 1391 | pages = 2441 |date=2008 |last1= Holt | first=J.W.| last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Plaut | first3 = J. J. | last4 = Young | first4 = D. A. | last5 = Head | first5 = J. W. | last6 = Phillips | first6 = R. J. | last7 = Campbell | first7 = B. A. | last8 = Carter | first8 = L. M. | last9 = Gim | first9 = Y. | last10 = Seu | </ref>  Large amounts of water ice are believed to be in the LDAs.  Available evidence strongly suggests that the eastern part of Hellas accumulated snow in the past.  When the tilt (obliquity) of Mars increases the southern ice cap releases large amounts of water vapor.  Climate models predict that when this occurs, water vapor condenses and falls where LDAs are located.  The tilt of the earth changes little because our relatively large moon keeps it stable.  The two tiny Martian moons do not stabilize their planet, so the rotational axis of Mars undergoes large variations.<ref>Holt | first1 = J. W. | last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Plaut | first3 = J. J. | last4 = Head | first4 = J. W. | last5 = Phillips | first5 = R. J. | last6 = Seu | first6 = R. | last7 = Kempf | first7 = S. D. | last8 = Choudhary | first8 = P. | last9 = Young | first9 = D. A. | last10 = Putzig | first10 = N. E. | last11 = Biccari | first11 = D. | last12 = Gim | first12 = Y. | title = Radar Sounding Evidence for Buried Glaciers in the Southern Mid-Latitudes of Mars | journal = Science | volume = 322 | issue = 5905 | pages = 1235–8 | date = 2008 | pmid = 19023078 | doi = 10.1126/science.1164246 | </ref>  Lobate debris aprons may be a major source of water for future Mars colonists.  Their major advantages over other sources of Martian water are that they can easily mapped from orbit and they are closer to the equator, where manned missions are more likely to land.
  
 
==Lineated Valley Fill (LVF)==
 
==Lineated Valley Fill (LVF)==
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On the floors of some channels are features called lineated floor deposits or lineated valley fill.  They are ridged and grooved materials that seem to deflect around obstacles.  They are believed to be ice-rich.  Some glaciers on the Earth show such features.  Lineated floor deposits may be related to lobate debris aprons, which have been proven to contain large amounts of ice.  Reull Vallis, as pictured below, displays these deposits.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100617191548/http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20021022a |</ref>
 
On the floors of some channels are features called lineated floor deposits or lineated valley fill.  They are ridged and grooved materials that seem to deflect around obstacles.  They are believed to be ice-rich.  Some glaciers on the Earth show such features.  Lineated floor deposits may be related to lobate debris aprons, which have been proven to contain large amounts of ice.  Reull Vallis, as pictured below, displays these deposits.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20100617191548/http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20021022a |</ref>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
  
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Close view of upper plains unit breaking down into brain terrain  As ice leaves the ground, the ground collapses and winds blow the remaining dust away.
 
Close view of upper plains unit breaking down into brain terrain  As ice leaves the ground, the ground collapses and winds blow the remaining dust away.
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
File: ESP 019778 1385pyramid.jpg|Layered structure in crater that is probably what is left of a layered unit that once covered a much larger area.  Material for this unit fell from the sky as ice-coated dust.  
 
File: ESP 019778 1385pyramid.jpg|Layered structure in crater that is probably what is left of a layered unit that once covered a much larger area.  Material for this unit fell from the sky as ice-coated dust.  
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Some places the mantle has piled up quite deeply.  The remains of a 50-100 meter thick mantling, called the upper plains unit, has been discovered in the mid-latitudes of Mars.  It was first investigated in the Deuteronilus Mensae region (in the North), but it occurs in other places as well.  The remnants sometimes consist of sets of dipping or tilted layers in craters and along mesas.<ref>Carr, M.  2001.  Mars Global Surveyor observations of Martian fretted terrain.  Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.  106.  Issue E10</ref> Sets of dipping layers may be of various sizes and shapes—some look like stepped Aztec pyramids from Central America.  The Upper plains unit can have several different appearances.
 
Some places the mantle has piled up quite deeply.  The remains of a 50-100 meter thick mantling, called the upper plains unit, has been discovered in the mid-latitudes of Mars.  It was first investigated in the Deuteronilus Mensae region (in the North), but it occurs in other places as well.  The remnants sometimes consist of sets of dipping or tilted layers in craters and along mesas.<ref>Carr, M.  2001.  Mars Global Surveyor observations of Martian fretted terrain.  Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.  106.  Issue E10</ref> Sets of dipping layers may be of various sizes and shapes—some look like stepped Aztec pyramids from Central America.  The Upper plains unit can have several different appearances.
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
ESP 050793 1365pyramids.jpg|Tilted layers
 
ESP 050793 1365pyramids.jpg|Tilted layers
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
Image:ESP_024868pyramid.jpg|Layered feature probably formed by the erosion of the upper plains unit
 
Image:ESP_024868pyramid.jpg|Layered feature probably formed by the erosion of the upper plains unit
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
ESP 054775 1400craterpyramid.jpg|Layered feature in crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
 
ESP 054775 1400craterpyramid.jpg|Layered feature in crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
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Many areas on Mars, including the Hellas quadrangle, experience the passage of giant dust devils.  A thin coating of fine bright dust covers most of the Martian surface.  When a dust devil goes by it blows away the coating and exposes the underlying dark surface.  Dust devils have been seen from the ground and from orbiting spacecraft.  They have even blown the dust off of the solar panels of the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), thereby greatly extending their lives.<ref>http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20070412a.html</ref>  The twin Rovers were designed to last for 3 months, instead they have lasted far longer; Opportunity lasted more than 14 years.  The pattern of dust devil tracks have been shown to change every few months.<ref name="mars.jpl.nasa.gov">https://web.archive.org/web/20111028015730/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/kenEdgett.html |</ref>  A study that combined data from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) found that some large dust devils on Mars have a diameter of 700 meters and last at least 26 minutes.<ref>Reiss | first1 = D. |display-authors=etal | year = 2011 | title = Multitemporal observations of identical active dust devils on Mars with High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 215 | issue = 1| pages = 358–369 |</ref>
 
Many areas on Mars, including the Hellas quadrangle, experience the passage of giant dust devils.  A thin coating of fine bright dust covers most of the Martian surface.  When a dust devil goes by it blows away the coating and exposes the underlying dark surface.  Dust devils have been seen from the ground and from orbiting spacecraft.  They have even blown the dust off of the solar panels of the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), thereby greatly extending their lives.<ref>http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/press/spirit/20070412a.html</ref>  The twin Rovers were designed to last for 3 months, instead they have lasted far longer; Opportunity lasted more than 14 years.  The pattern of dust devil tracks have been shown to change every few months.<ref name="mars.jpl.nasa.gov">https://web.archive.org/web/20111028015730/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/spotlight/kenEdgett.html |</ref>  A study that combined data from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) found that some large dust devils on Mars have a diameter of 700 meters and last at least 26 minutes.<ref>Reiss | first1 = D. |display-authors=etal | year = 2011 | title = Multitemporal observations of identical active dust devils on Mars with High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 215 | issue = 1| pages = 358–369 |</ref>
  
 
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
 
Wikiwallacedevils.jpg|Dust devil tracks on floor of Wallace Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter)
 
Wikiwallacedevils.jpg|Dust devil tracks on floor of Wallace Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter)
  
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Pedestal craters form when the ejecta from impacts protect the underlying material from erosion.  As a result of this process, craters appear perched above their surroundings.
 
Pedestal craters form when the ejecta from impacts protect the underlying material from erosion.  As a result of this process, craters appear perched above their surroundings.
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
ESP 047615 1275pedestal.jpg|Pedestal crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
 
ESP 047615 1275pedestal.jpg|Pedestal crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
 
Image:Pedestal crater3.jpg|Pedestal craters form when the ejecta from impacts protect the underlying material from erosion.  As a result of this process, craters appear perched above their surroundings.
 
Image:Pedestal crater3.jpg|Pedestal craters form when the ejecta from impacts protect the underlying material from erosion.  As a result of this process, craters appear perched above their surroundings.
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==Glacial Features==
 
==Glacial Features==
  
Glaciers, loosely defined as patches of currently or recently flowing ice, are thought to be present across large but restricted areas of the modern Martian surface, and are inferred to have been more widely distributed at times in the past.<ref>"Carr">"The Surface of Mars" Series: Cambridge Planetary Science (No. 6)  Michael H. Carr, United States Geological Survey, Menlo Park</ref> <ref>"Kieffer, Hugh H.  Mars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoDvAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=March 7, 2011|date=1992|publisher=University of Arizona Press|isbn=978-0-8165-1257-7</ref>  Lobate convex features on the surface known as viscous flow features and lobate debris aprons are now almost unanimously regarded as true glaciers.<ref>Milliken | first1 = R. E. | last2 = Mustard | first2 = J. F. | last3 = Goldsby | first3 = D. L. | year = 2003 | title = Viscous flow features on the surface of Mars: Observations from high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/a822f14644d2294b948e101be2f294ac33b57ec3| journal = Journal of Geophysical Research | volume = 108 | issue = E6| page = 5057 | doi=10.1029/2002je002005 |</ref> <ref name>Squyres | first1 = S.W. | last2 = Carr | first2 = M.H. | year = 1986 | title = Geomorphic evidence for the distribution of ground ice on Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 213 | issue = 4735| pages = 249–253 | doi = 10.1126/science.231.4735.249 | pmid = 17769645 |</ref> <ref>Head | first1 = J.W. | last2 = Marchant | first2 = D.R. | last3 = Dickson | first3 = J.L. | last4 = Kress | first4 = A.M. | year = 2010 | title = Criteria for the recognition of debris-covered glacier and valley glacier landsystem deposits | url = | journal = Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. | volume = 294 | issue = | pages = 306–320 | doi=10.1016/j.epsl.2009.06.041 | </ref> <ref>Holt | first1 = J.W. |display-authors=etal | year = 2008 | title = Radar sounding evidence for buried glaciers in the southern mid-latitudes of Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 322 | issue = 5905| pages = 1235–1238 |</ref> <ref>Morgan | first1 = G.A. | last2 = Head | first2 = J.W. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D.R. | year = 2009 | title = Lineated valley fill (LVF) and lobate debris aprons (LDA) in the Deuteronilus Mensae northern dichotomy boundary region, Mars: Constraints on the extent, age and episodicity of Amazonian glacial events | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 202 | issue = 1| pages = 22–38 | </ref> <ref>Plaut | first1 = J.J. | last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Holt | first3 = J.W. | last4 = Phillips | first4 = R.J. | last5 = Head | first5 = J.W. | last6 = Sue | first6 = R. | last7 = Putzig | first7 = A. | year = 2009 | title = Frigeri Radar evidence for ice in lobate debris aprons in the mid-northern latitudes of Mars | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/f6b94761e6a276ce6894374ae9bea88fdc3e5e19| journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 36 | issue = 2| page = L02203 | </ref> <ref>Baker | first1 = D.M.H. | last2 = Head | first2 = J.W. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D.R. | year = 2010 | title = Flow patterns of lobate debris aprons and lineated valley fill north of Ismeniae Fossae, Mars: Evidence for extensive mid-latitude glaciation in the Late Amazonian | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 207 | issue = 1| pages = 186–209 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2009.11.017 | </ref> <ref>Arfstrom | first1 = J. | year = 2005 | title = Terrestrial analogs and interrelationships | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 174 | issue = 2| pages = 321–335 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.05.026 | </ref>
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Glaciers, loosely defined as patches of currently or recently flowing ice, are thought to be present across large but restricted areas of the modern Martian surface, and are inferred to have been more widely distributed at times in the past.<ref>"Carr">"The Surface of Mars" Series: Cambridge Planetary Science (No. 6)  Michael H. Carr, United States Geological Survey, Menlo Park</ref> <ref>"Kieffer, Hugh H.  Mars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoDvAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=March 7, 2011|date=1992|publisher=University of Arizona Press|isbn=978-0-8165-1257-7</ref>  Lobate convex features on the surface known as viscous flow features and lobate debris aprons are now almost unanimously regarded as true glaciers.<ref>Milliken | first1 = R. E. | last2 = Mustard | first2 = J. F. | last3 = Goldsby | first3 = D. L. | year = 2003 | title = Viscous flow features on the surface of Mars: Observations from high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/a822f14644d2294b948e101be2f294ac33b57ec3| journal = Journal of Geophysical Research | volume = 108 | issue = E6| page = 5057 | doi=10.1029/2002je002005 |</ref> <ref>Squyres | first1 = S.W. | last2 = Carr | first2 = M.H. | year = 1986 | title = Geomorphic evidence for the distribution of ground ice on Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 213 | issue = 4735| pages = 249–253 | doi = 10.1126/science.231.4735.249 | pmid = 17769645 |</ref> <ref>Head | first1 = J.W. | last2 = Marchant | first2 = D.R. | last3 = Dickson | first3 = J.L. | last4 = Kress | first4 = A.M. | year = 2010 | title = Criteria for the recognition of debris-covered glacier and valley glacier landsystem deposits | url = | journal = Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. | volume = 294 | issue = | pages = 306–320 | doi=10.1016/j.epsl.2009.06.041 | </ref> <ref>Holt | first1 = J.W. |display-authors=etal | year = 2008 | title = Radar sounding evidence for buried glaciers in the southern mid-latitudes of Mars | url = | journal = Science | volume = 322 | issue = 5905| pages = 1235–1238 |</ref> <ref>Morgan | first1 = G.A. | last2 = Head | first2 = J.W. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D.R. | year = 2009 | title = Lineated valley fill (LVF) and lobate debris aprons (LDA) in the Deuteronilus Mensae northern dichotomy boundary region, Mars: Constraints on the extent, age and episodicity of Amazonian glacial events | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 202 | issue = 1| pages = 22–38 | </ref> <ref>Plaut | first1 = J.J. | last2 = Safaeinili | first2 = A. | last3 = Holt | first3 = J.W. | last4 = Phillips | first4 = R.J. | last5 = Head | first5 = J.W. | last6 = Sue | first6 = R. | last7 = Putzig | first7 = A. | year = 2009 | title = Frigeri Radar evidence for ice in lobate debris aprons in the mid-northern latitudes of Mars | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/f6b94761e6a276ce6894374ae9bea88fdc3e5e19| journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 36 | issue = 2| page = L02203 | </ref> <ref>Baker | first1 = D.M.H. | last2 = Head | first2 = J.W. | last3 = Marchant | first3 = D.R. | year = 2010 | title = Flow patterns of lobate debris aprons and lineated valley fill north of Ismeniae Fossae, Mars: Evidence for extensive mid-latitude glaciation in the Late Amazonian | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 207 | issue = 1| pages = 186–209 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2009.11.017 | </ref> <ref>Arfstrom | first1 = J. | year = 2005 | title = Terrestrial analogs and interrelationships | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 174 | issue = 2| pages = 321–335 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.05.026 | </ref>
 
A climate model, reported in the journal Science in 2006, found that large amounts of ice should accumulate in the Hellas region, in the same places where glaciers are observed.  Water is transported from the south polar area to northern Hellas and falls as precipitation.<ref>Forget, F., et al.  2006.  Formation of Glaciers on Mars by Atmospheric Precipitation at High Obliquity.  Science:  311, 368-371.</ref>
 
A climate model, reported in the journal Science in 2006, found that large amounts of ice should accumulate in the Hellas region, in the same places where glaciers are observed.  Water is transported from the south polar area to northern Hellas and falls as precipitation.<ref>Forget, F., et al.  2006.  Formation of Glaciers on Mars by Atmospheric Precipitation at High Obliquity.  Science:  311, 368-371.</ref>
 
The following pictures show many features that are probably glaciers—that is they are mostly ice and move downhill—like rivers—but much slower.  Researchers started to call these things flows, but later came to understand that they are probably glaciers with a covering of debris.
 
The following pictures show many features that are probably glaciers—that is they are mostly ice and move downhill—like rivers—but much slower.  Researchers started to call these things flows, but later came to understand that they are probably glaciers with a covering of debris.
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
ESP 051151 1445flow.jpg|Flows, as seen by HiRISE
 
ESP 051151 1445flow.jpg|Flows, as seen by HiRISE
  
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47193 1440polygonsclose2.jpg|Close view of polygonal terrain near tongue-shaped flows, as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program
 
47193 1440polygonsclose2.jpg|Close view of polygonal terrain near tongue-shaped flows, as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program
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File:Ice rich flows near Hellas ESP 025646 1440.jpg|Tongue-shaped flows going down crater wall, as seen by HiRISE
  
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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[[File:48196 1460channels.jpg|600pxr|Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program]]
 
[[File:48196 1460channels.jpg|600pxr|Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program]]
  
Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the [[HiWish program]]
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              Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the [[HiWish program]]
  
 
Today, it is generally accepted that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.<ref>Baker | first1 = V. |display-authors=etal | year = 2015 | title = Fluvial geomorphology on Earth-like planetary surfaces: a review | url = | journal = Geomorphology | volume = 245 | issue = | pages = 149–182 | doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.002|</ref> <ref>Carr, M.  1996.  in Water on Mars.  Oxford Univ. Press.</ref>  Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early seventies with the [[Mariner 9]] orbiter.<ref>Baker, V.  1982.  The Channels of Mars. Univ. of Tex. Press, Austin, TX</ref> <ref>Baker | first1 = V. | last2 = Strom | first2 = R. | last3 = Gulick | first3 = V. | last4 = Kargel | first4 = J. | last5 = Komatsu | first5 = G. | last6 = Kale | first6 = V. | year = 1991 | title = Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars | url = | journal = Nature | volume = 352 | issue = 6336| pages = 589–594 | doi=10.1038/352589a0 | </ref> <ref>Carr | first1 = M | year = 1979 | title = Formation of Martian flood features by release of water from confined aquifers | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 84 | issue = | pages = 2995–300 | doi=10.1029/jb084ib06p02995 |</ref> <ref>Komar | first1 = P | year = 1979 | title = Comparisons of the hydraulics of water flows in Martian outflow channels with flows of similar scale on Earth | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 37 | issue = 1| pages = 156–181 | doi=10.1016/0019-1035(79)90123-4 |</ref>  Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. <ref>http://spaceref.com/mars/how-much-water-was-needed-to-carve-valleys-on-mars.html</ref> <ref>Luo, W., et al.  2017.  New Martian valley network volume estimate consistent with ancient ocean and warm and wet climate.  Nature Communications 8.  Article number:  15766 (2017). </ref>
 
Today, it is generally accepted that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.<ref>Baker | first1 = V. |display-authors=etal | year = 2015 | title = Fluvial geomorphology on Earth-like planetary surfaces: a review | url = | journal = Geomorphology | volume = 245 | issue = | pages = 149–182 | doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.002|</ref> <ref>Carr, M.  1996.  in Water on Mars.  Oxford Univ. Press.</ref>  Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early seventies with the [[Mariner 9]] orbiter.<ref>Baker, V.  1982.  The Channels of Mars. Univ. of Tex. Press, Austin, TX</ref> <ref>Baker | first1 = V. | last2 = Strom | first2 = R. | last3 = Gulick | first3 = V. | last4 = Kargel | first4 = J. | last5 = Komatsu | first5 = G. | last6 = Kale | first6 = V. | year = 1991 | title = Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars | url = | journal = Nature | volume = 352 | issue = 6336| pages = 589–594 | doi=10.1038/352589a0 | </ref> <ref>Carr | first1 = M | year = 1979 | title = Formation of Martian flood features by release of water from confined aquifers | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 84 | issue = | pages = 2995–300 | doi=10.1029/jb084ib06p02995 |</ref> <ref>Komar | first1 = P | year = 1979 | title = Comparisons of the hydraulics of water flows in Martian outflow channels with flows of similar scale on Earth | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 37 | issue = 1| pages = 156–181 | doi=10.1016/0019-1035(79)90123-4 |</ref>  Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. <ref>http://spaceref.com/mars/how-much-water-was-needed-to-carve-valleys-on-mars.html</ref> <ref>Luo, W., et al.  2017.  New Martian valley network volume estimate consistent with ancient ocean and warm and wet climate.  Nature Communications 8.  Article number:  15766 (2017). </ref>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
ESP 041972 1490channel.jpg|Streamlined shape in old river valley  The streamlined shape is evidence of running water.
 
ESP 041972 1490channel.jpg|Streamlined shape in old river valley  The streamlined shape is evidence of running water.
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
ESP 048855 1450channels.jpg|Channel network
 
ESP 048855 1450channels.jpg|Channel network
 
   
 
   
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Many places on Mars show rocks arranged in layers. Rock can form layers in a variety of ways.  Volcanoes, wind, or water can produce layers.<ref>http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?PSP_008437_1750 |title=HiRISE &#124; High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment |publisher=Hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?psp_008437_1750 |</ref> A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in Sedimentary Geology of Mars.<ref>Grotzinger, J. and R. Milliken (eds.).  2012.  Sedimentary Geology of Mars.  SEPM.</ref>
 
Many places on Mars show rocks arranged in layers. Rock can form layers in a variety of ways.  Volcanoes, wind, or water can produce layers.<ref>http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?PSP_008437_1750 |title=HiRISE &#124; High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment |publisher=Hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?psp_008437_1750 |</ref> A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in Sedimentary Geology of Mars.<ref>Grotzinger, J. and R. Milliken (eds.).  2012.  Sedimentary Geology of Mars.  SEPM.</ref>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
ESP 045507 1470layeredcrater.jpg|Close view of layered deposit in crater
 
ESP 045507 1470layeredcrater.jpg|Close view of layered deposit in crater
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
48144 1475layers.jpg|Close view of layers
 
48144 1475layers.jpg|Close view of layers
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
File:54763 1500layers.jpg|Close view of light and dark toned layers  Some layers are light-toned which means that they may have been associated with water.
 
File:54763 1500layers.jpg|Close view of light and dark toned layers  Some layers are light-toned which means that they may have been associated with water.
 
File:54763 1500layers2.jpg|Close view of light and dark toned layers
 
File:54763 1500layers2.jpg|Close view of light and dark toned layers
 
File:54763 1500layerscolor.jpg|Close, color view of layers The different colors represent different minerals.
 
File:54763 1500layerscolor.jpg|Close, color view of layers The different colors represent different minerals.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
File:55053 1485layersclosecolor.jpg|Close, color view of layers  The different colors represent different minerals.
 
File:55053 1485layersclosecolor.jpg|Close, color view of layers  The different colors represent different minerals.
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
File:55581 1470layered mounds.jpg|Close view of layers in mound
 
File:55581 1470layered mounds.jpg|Close view of layers in mound
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==Honeycomb terrain==
 
==Honeycomb terrain==
  
Honeycomb terrain is strangely beautiful.  It presents with relatively flat-lying “cells” that appear to have concentric layers or bands, similar to a honeycomb. This "honeycomb" terrain was first discovered in the northwestern part of Hellas.<ref>Bernhardt | first1 = H. |display-authors=etal | year = 2016 | title = The honeycomb terrain on the Hellas basin floor, mars: a case for salt or ice diapirism: hellas honeycombs as salt/ice diapirs | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 121 | issue = 4| pages = 714–738 | doi=10.1002/2016je005007| </ref>  Although several ideas have been put forth, the exact geologic process responsible for creating these features remains unresolved.<ref>http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_049330_1425</ref>  Some calculations indicate that this formation may have been caused by ice moving up through the ground in this region.  The ice layer would have been between 100 m and 1 km thick.<ref>Weiss, D., J. Head.  2017.  HYDROLOGY OF THE HELLAS BASIN AND THE EARLY MARS CLIMATE: WAS THE HONEYCOMB TERRAIN FORMED BY SALT OR ICE DIAPIRISM?  Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII. 1060.pdf</ref> <ref>Weiss | first1 = D. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | year = 2017 | title = Salt or ice diapirism origin for the honeycomb terrain in Hellas basin, Mars?: Implications for the early martian climate | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 284 | issue = | pages = 249–263 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2016.11.016 | </ref>  <ref>Bernhardt | first1 = H. |display-authors=etal | year = 2016 | title = The honeycomb terrain on the Hellas basin floor, mars: a case for salt or ice diapirism: hellas honeycombs as salt/ice diapirs | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 121 | issue = 4| pages = 714–738 | doi=10.1002/2016je005007| </ref> When one substance moves up through another denser substance, it is called a “diapir.”  In this idea, large masses of ice pushed up layers of rock into domes that were subsequently eroded.  After erosion cut off the top of the layered domes, circular features remained.
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Honeycomb terrain is strangely beautiful.  It presents with relatively flat-lying “cells” that appear to have concentric layers or bands, similar to a honeycomb. This "honeycomb" terrain was first discovered in the northwestern part of Hellas.<ref>Bernhardt | first1 = H. |display-authors=etal | year = 2016 | title = The honeycomb terrain on the Hellas basin floor, mars: a case for salt or ice diapirism: hellas honeycombs as salt/ice diapirs | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 121 | issue = 4| pages = 714–738 | doi=10.1002/2016je005007| </ref>  Although several ideas have been put forth, the exact geologic process responsible for creating these features remains unresolved.<ref>https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2022/pdf/1588.pdf</ref> <ref>Cook, C., et al.  2022.  FORMATION OF THE BANDED TERRAIN OF HELLAS PLANITIA, MARS. 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2022).  1588.pdf</ref> <ref>http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_049330_1425</ref>  Some calculations indicate that this formation may have been caused by ice moving up through the ground in this region.  The ice layer would have been between 100 m and 1 km thick.<ref>Weiss, D., J. Head.  2017.  HYDROLOGY OF THE HELLAS BASIN AND THE EARLY MARS CLIMATE: WAS THE HONEYCOMB TERRAIN FORMED BY SALT OR ICE DIAPIRISM?  Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII. 1060.pdf</ref> <ref>Weiss | first1 = D. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | year = 2017 | title = Salt or ice diapirism origin for the honeycomb terrain in Hellas basin, Mars?: Implications for the early martian climate | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 284 | issue = | pages = 249–263 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2016.11.016 | </ref>  <ref>Bernhardt | first1 = H. |display-authors=etal | year = 2016 | title = The honeycomb terrain on the Hellas basin floor, mars: a case for salt or ice diapirism: hellas honeycombs as salt/ice diapirs | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 121 | issue = 4| pages = 714–738 | doi=10.1002/2016je005007| </ref> When one substance moves up through another denser substance, it is called a “diapir.”  In this idea, large masses of ice pushed up layers of rock into domes that were subsequently eroded.  After erosion cut off the top of the layered domes, circular features remained.
 
Diapirs are thought to be responsible for features on Neptune's moon Triton, Jupiter's moon Europa, Saturn's moon Enceladus, and Uranus's moon Miranda.<ref>Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations, [http://ciclops.org/view/5156/Enceladus_Rev_80_Flyby Enceladus Rev 80 Flyby: Aug 11 '08]. Retrieved 2008-08-15.</ref>
 
Diapirs are thought to be responsible for features on Neptune's moon Triton, Jupiter's moon Europa, Saturn's moon Enceladus, and Uranus's moon Miranda.<ref>Cassini Imaging Central Laboratory for Operations, [http://ciclops.org/view/5156/Enceladus_Rev_80_Flyby Enceladus Rev 80 Flyby: Aug 11 '08]. Retrieved 2008-08-15.</ref>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
ESP 046139 1375ridgeslayers.jpg|Layers and ridges that form strange patterns
 
ESP 046139 1375ridgeslayers.jpg|Layers and ridges that form strange patterns
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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ESP 049330 1425honeycomb.jpg|Honeycomb terrain
 
ESP 049330 1425honeycomb.jpg|Honeycomb terrain
  
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Networks  of ridges sometimes show up in low areas like crater floors.  There origin is not completely understood.
 
Networks  of ridges sometimes show up in low areas like crater floors.  There origin is not completely understood.
  
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
  
 
File:ESP 057111 1455ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridge network
 
File:ESP 057111 1455ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridge network
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For years, many believed that gullies were formed by running water, but further observations demonstrate that they may be formed by dry ice.  Recent studies, using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO), examined gullies at 356 sites, starting in 2006. Thirty-eight of the sites showed active gully formation.  Before-and-after images demonstrated the timing of this activity coincided with seasonal carbon dioxide frost and temperatures that would not have allowed for liquid water.  When dry ice frost changes to a gas, it may lubricate dry material to flow especially on steep slopes.<ref>http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-226</ref> <ref>http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_032078_1420</ref><ref>http://www.space.com/26534-mars-gullies-dry-ice.html</ref>  In some years frost, perhaps as thick as 1 meter, triggers avalanches. This frost contains mostly dry ice, but also has tiny amounts of water ice.<ref>http://spaceref.com/mars/frosty-gullies-on-mars.html</ref>
 
For years, many believed that gullies were formed by running water, but further observations demonstrate that they may be formed by dry ice.  Recent studies, using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO), examined gullies at 356 sites, starting in 2006. Thirty-eight of the sites showed active gully formation.  Before-and-after images demonstrated the timing of this activity coincided with seasonal carbon dioxide frost and temperatures that would not have allowed for liquid water.  When dry ice frost changes to a gas, it may lubricate dry material to flow especially on steep slopes.<ref>http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2014-226</ref> <ref>http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_032078_1420</ref><ref>http://www.space.com/26534-mars-gullies-dry-ice.html</ref>  In some years frost, perhaps as thick as 1 meter, triggers avalanches. This frost contains mostly dry ice, but also has tiny amounts of water ice.<ref>http://spaceref.com/mars/frosty-gullies-on-mars.html</ref>
  
 
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49185 1350gully.jpg|Close view of small gully
 
49185 1350gully.jpg|Close view of small gully
  
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Close view of gullies in crater  Polygons are visible in this close view.
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                Close view of gullies in crater  Polygons are visible in this close view.
  
 
==Polygons==
 
==Polygons==
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Some surfaces on Mars display polygons.  These may be of different sizes.  Polygons are an example of patterned ground.  Polygonal, patterned ground is quite common in some regions of Mars.<ref>Kostama | first1 = V.-P. | last2 = Kreslavsky | first2 = M. | last3 = Head | first3 = J. | year = 2006 | title = Recent high-latitude icy mantle in the northern plains of Mars: Characteristics and ages of emplacement | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 33 | issue = 11| page = L11201 | doi = 10.1029/2006GL025946 |</ref> <ref>Malin | first1 = M. | last2 = Edgett | first2 = K. | year = 2001 | title = Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera: Interplanetary cruise through primary mission | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 106 | issue = E10| pages = 23429–23540 | doi=10.1029/2000je001455 | </ref> <ref>Milliken | first1 = R. |display-authors=etal | year = 2003 | title = Viscous flow features on the surface of Mars: Observations from high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/a822f14644d2294b948e101be2f294ac33b57ec3| journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 108 | issue = | page = |</ref> <ref>Mangold | first1 = N | year = 2005 | title = High latitude patterned grounds on Mars: Classification, distribution and climatic control | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 174 | issue = 2| pages = 336–359 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.07.030 |</ref> <ref>Kreslavsky | first1 = M. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | year = 2000 | title = Kilometer-scale roughness on Mars: Results from MOLA data analysis | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 105 | issue = E11| pages = 26695–26712 | doi=10.1029/2000je001259 |</ref> <ref>Seibert | first1 = N. | last2 = Kargel | first2 = J. | year = 2001 | title = Small-scale martian polygonal terrain: Implications for liquid surface water | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 28 | issue = 5| pages = 899–902 | doi=10.1029/2000gl012093 |</ref>
 
Some surfaces on Mars display polygons.  These may be of different sizes.  Polygons are an example of patterned ground.  Polygonal, patterned ground is quite common in some regions of Mars.<ref>Kostama | first1 = V.-P. | last2 = Kreslavsky | first2 = M. | last3 = Head | first3 = J. | year = 2006 | title = Recent high-latitude icy mantle in the northern plains of Mars: Characteristics and ages of emplacement | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 33 | issue = 11| page = L11201 | doi = 10.1029/2006GL025946 |</ref> <ref>Malin | first1 = M. | last2 = Edgett | first2 = K. | year = 2001 | title = Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera: Interplanetary cruise through primary mission | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 106 | issue = E10| pages = 23429–23540 | doi=10.1029/2000je001455 | </ref> <ref>Milliken | first1 = R. |display-authors=etal | year = 2003 | title = Viscous flow features on the surface of Mars: Observations from high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images | url = https://semanticscholar.org/paper/a822f14644d2294b948e101be2f294ac33b57ec3| journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 108 | issue = | page = |</ref> <ref>Mangold | first1 = N | year = 2005 | title = High latitude patterned grounds on Mars: Classification, distribution and climatic control | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 174 | issue = 2| pages = 336–359 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2004.07.030 |</ref> <ref>Kreslavsky | first1 = M. | last2 = Head | first2 = J. | year = 2000 | title = Kilometer-scale roughness on Mars: Results from MOLA data analysis | url = | journal = J. Geophys. Res. | volume = 105 | issue = E11| pages = 26695–26712 | doi=10.1029/2000je001259 |</ref> <ref>Seibert | first1 = N. | last2 = Kargel | first2 = J. | year = 2001 | title = Small-scale martian polygonal terrain: Implications for liquid surface water | url = | journal = Geophys. Res. Lett. | volume = 28 | issue = 5| pages = 899–902 | doi=10.1029/2000gl012093 |</ref>
  
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49185 1350polygons.jpg|Group of polygons
 
49185 1350polygons.jpg|Group of polygons
 
File:040310 1475flagstones.jpg|Patterned ground in Hellas  The rectangle shows the size of a football field.
 
File:040310 1475flagstones.jpg|Patterned ground in Hellas  The rectangle shows the size of a football field.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
ESP 049660 1200polygons.jpg|Wide view of polygons  Parts of this image are enlarged in following images.
 
ESP 049660 1200polygons.jpg|Wide view of polygons  Parts of this image are enlarged in following images.
 
49660 1200polygonswide.jpg|Polygons
 
49660 1200polygonswide.jpg|Polygons
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The layered ice is exposed in triangular shaped depressions. They are unique in that one wall is very steep and faces the pole.  Confirmation that water-ice makes up the layers came from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on board the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO).  Spectra gathered by CRISM showed strong signals of water.<ref>Colin M. Dundas, et al. ''Science'', 12 January 2018. Vol. 359, Issue 6372, pp. 199-201. </ref>  These layers are especially prominent in depressions in Hellas quadrangle as shown in the enlarged views below.
 
The layered ice is exposed in triangular shaped depressions. They are unique in that one wall is very steep and faces the pole.  Confirmation that water-ice makes up the layers came from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on board the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] (MRO).  Spectra gathered by CRISM showed strong signals of water.<ref>Colin M. Dundas, et al. ''Science'', 12 January 2018. Vol. 359, Issue 6372, pp. 199-201. </ref>  These layers are especially prominent in depressions in Hellas quadrangle as shown in the enlarged views below.
  
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PIA22078 hireswideview.jpg|Wide view of triangular depression The colored strip shows the part of the image that can be seen in color.  The wall at the top of the depression contains pure ice.  This wall faces the south pole. <ref>Supplementary Materials Exposed subsurface ice sheets in the Martian mid-latitudes Colin M. Dundas, Ali M. Bramson, Lujendra Ojha, James J. Wray, Michael T. Mellon, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen, Nathaniel E. Putzig, Donna Viola, Sarah Sutton, Erin Clark, John W. Holt</ref>
 
PIA22078 hireswideview.jpg|Wide view of triangular depression The colored strip shows the part of the image that can be seen in color.  The wall at the top of the depression contains pure ice.  This wall faces the south pole. <ref>Supplementary Materials Exposed subsurface ice sheets in the Martian mid-latitudes Colin M. Dundas, Ali M. Bramson, Lujendra Ojha, James J. Wray, Michael T. Mellon, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen, Nathaniel E. Putzig, Donna Viola, Sarah Sutton, Erin Clark, John W. Holt</ref>
  
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</gallery>
  
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ESP 050345 1230icelayersangles.jpg|Wide view of triangular depression The wall which faces the south pole contains ice in distinct layers that are visible in next image. <ref>Supplementary Materials Exposed subsurface ice sheets in the Martian mid-latitudes Colin M. Dundas, Ali M. Bramson, Lujendra Ojha, James J. Wray, Michael T. Mellon, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen, Nathaniel E. Putzig, Donna Viola, Sarah Sutton, Erin Clark, John W. Holt</ref>
 
ESP 050345 1230icelayersangles.jpg|Wide view of triangular depression The wall which faces the south pole contains ice in distinct layers that are visible in next image. <ref>Supplementary Materials Exposed subsurface ice sheets in the Martian mid-latitudes Colin M. Dundas, Ali M. Bramson, Lujendra Ojha, James J. Wray, Michael T. Mellon, Shane Byrne, Alfred S. McEwen, Nathaniel E. Putzig, Donna Viola, Sarah Sutton, Erin Clark, John W. Holt</ref>
  
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==Scalloped topography==
 
==Scalloped topography==
  
Scalloped topography is common in the mid-latitudes of Mars, between 45° and 60° north and south. In the region around Hellas it  is found in locations called  Peneus Patera and Amphitrites Paterae<ref> Lefort | first1 = A. | last2 = Russell | first2 = P. | last3 = Thomas | first3 = N. | year = 2009 | title = Scalloped terrains in the Peneus and Amphitrites Paterae region of Mars as observed by HiRISE | journal = Icarus | volume =  205| issue = 1 | pages =  259–268| doi = 10.1016/j.icarus.2009.06.005 |</ref> <ref>Zanetti, M., Hiesinger,H., Reiss, D., Hauber, E. and Neukum, G.  2009. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2009/pdf/2178.pdf "Scalloped Depression Development on Malea Planum and the Southern Wall of the Hellas Basin, Mars", 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, abstract 2178</ref> in the southern hemisphere. It consists of shallow, rimless depressions with scalloped edges, commonly referred to as "scalloped depressions" or simply "scallops". Scalloped depressions can be isolated or clustered and sometimes seem to coalesce. A typical scalloped depression displays a gentle equator-facing slope and a steeper pole-facing scarp.<ref>http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_038821_1235</ref> <ref>Dundas, C., et al.  2015.  Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms.  Icarus: 262, 154-169.</ref>  Scalloped depressions are believed to form from the removal of subsurface material, possibly interstitial ice, by sublimation  (direct transition of a material from the solid to the gas phase with no intermediate liquid stage). This process may still be happening at present.<ref>http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002296_1215|title=Scalloped Topography in Peneus Patera Crater|publisher=HiRISE Operations Center|date=2007-02-28|accessdate=2014-11-24}}</ref>  This topography may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because it may point to deposits of pure ice.<ref>Dundas | first1 = C. | last2 = Bryrne | first2 = S. | last3 = McEwen | first3 = A. | year = 2015 | title = Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 262 | issue = | pages = 154–169 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2015.07.033 |</ref>
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Scalloped topography is common in the mid-latitudes of Mars, between 45° and 60° north and south. In the region around Hellas it  is found in locations called  Peneus Patera and Amphitrites Paterae<ref>Lefort | first1 = A. | last2 = Russell | first2 = P. | last3 = Thomas | first3 = N. | year = 2009 | title = Scalloped terrains in the Peneus and Amphitrites Paterae region of Mars as observed by HiRISE | journal = Icarus | volume =  205| issue = 1 | pages =  259–268| doi = 10.1016/j.icarus.2009.06.005 |</ref> <ref>Zanetti, M., Hiesinger,H., Reiss, D., Hauber, E. and Neukum, G.  2009. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2009/pdf/2178.pdf "Scalloped Depression Development on Malea Planum and the Southern Wall of the Hellas Basin, Mars", 40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, abstract 2178</ref> in the southern hemisphere. It consists of shallow, rimless depressions with scalloped edges, commonly referred to as "scalloped depressions" or simply "scallops". Scalloped depressions can be isolated or clustered and sometimes seem to coalesce. A typical scalloped depression displays a gentle equator-facing slope and a steeper pole-facing scarp.<ref>http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_038821_1235</ref> <ref>Dundas, C., et al.  2015.  Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms.  Icarus: 262, 154-169.</ref>  Scalloped depressions are believed to form from the removal of subsurface material, possibly interstitial ice, by sublimation  (direct transition of a material from the solid to the gas phase with no intermediate liquid stage). This process may still be happening at present.<ref>http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002296_1215|title=Scalloped<nowiki> Topography in Peneus Patera Crater|publisher=HiRISE Operations Center|date=2007-02-28|accessdate=2014-11-24}}</nowiki></ref>  This topography may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because it may point to deposits of pure ice.<ref>Dundas | first1 = C. | last2 = Bryrne | first2 = S. | last3 = McEwen | first3 = A. | year = 2015 | title = Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms | url = | journal = Icarus | volume = 262 | issue = | pages = 154–169 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2015.07.033 |</ref>
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
Image:Scalop formation.jpg|Stages in scalop formation, as seen by HiRISE.  These formations probably form from the sublimation of ground rich in pure water ice many meters in depth.<ref name="ReferenceC">Dundas, C., S. Bryrne, A. McEwen.  2015.  Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms.  Icarus: 262, 154-169.</ref>
 
Image:Scalop formation.jpg|Stages in scalop formation, as seen by HiRISE.  These formations probably form from the sublimation of ground rich in pure water ice many meters in depth.<ref name="ReferenceC">Dundas, C., S. Bryrne, A. McEwen.  2015.  Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms.  Icarus: 262, 154-169.</ref>
 
ESP 049304 1215scallops.jpg|Scalloped terrain, as seen by HiRISE under HIWish program Dust devil tracks are also visible.
 
ESP 049304 1215scallops.jpg|Scalloped terrain, as seen by HiRISE under HIWish program Dust devil tracks are also visible.
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Possible dike and troughs  The arrows point to the possible dike along the left edge of picture.  Straight features are rare in nature; they are often due to dikes and joints.
 
Possible dike and troughs  The arrows point to the possible dike along the left edge of picture.  Straight features are rare in nature; they are often due to dikes and joints.
  
 
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
  
 
File:55421 1395ribbed.jpg|Hollows on floor of Reull Vallis, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
 
File:55421 1395ribbed.jpg|Hollows on floor of Reull Vallis, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
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Ridges forming from cracks  Box in upper left shows size of football field.  Just imagine trying to hike across such a landscape.
 
Ridges forming from cracks  Box in upper left shows size of football field.  Just imagine trying to hike across such a landscape.
  
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
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<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
 
48196 1460meteoriteclose.jpg|Out of place rock  The arrow points to a large rock that is definitely out of place.  It may be a meteorite or it may have been tossed here by a nearby impact.
 
48196 1460meteoriteclose.jpg|Out of place rock  The arrow points to a large rock that is definitely out of place.  It may be a meteorite or it may have been tossed here by a nearby impact.
  
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rws1mj1mnIc A trip to Mars with Hubble, Viking, and HiRISE]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rws1mj1mnIc A trip to Mars with Hubble, Viking, and HiRISE]
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*https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2022/pdf/2069.pdf HELLAS BASIN: WITNESS PLATE FOR DECONVOLVING THE GEOLOGIC AND CLIMATIC
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HISTORY OF MARS. Shows  map of water related features.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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==References:==
 
==References:==
 
{{Reflist|2}}
 
{{Reflist|2}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Mars Atlas]]
 
[[Category:Mars Atlas]]

Latest revision as of 17:13, 22 December 2023

Mars topography (MOLA dataset) HiRes (1).jpg
MC-28 Hellas 30–65° S 60–120° E Quadrangles Atlas

The most famous feature of this area is the Hellas basin, a impact crater 2300 km in diameter.


The Hellas quadrangle covers the area from 30° to 65° south latitude and 240° to 300° west longitude (120-60 E ). When an asteroid slammed into Mars to create a big hole that makes up some of this quadrange, many unbelievable events happened—it was worse than any science fiction movie. Within the Hellas quadrangle lies the classic features Hellas Planitia and Promethei Terra. Giovanni Schiaparelli came up with the name Hellas (which in Greek means 'Greece').[1] The name was approved in 1973.[2] Many interesting and mysterious features have been discovered in the Hellas quadrangle, including the giant river valleys Dao Vallis, Niger Vallis, Harmakhis, and Reull Vallis—all of which may have contributed water to a lake in the Hellas basin in the distant past.[3] [4] [5] Many places in the Hellas quadrangle show signs that the ground is full of ice, especially with glacier-like flow features.

In this article, some of the best pictures from a number of spacecraft will show what the landscape looks like in this region. The origins and significance of all features will be explained as they are currently understood.

Hellas Basin

The Hellas quadrangle contains part of the Hellas Basin, the largest known impact crater on the surface of Mars and the second largest in the solar system. The depth of the crater is 7152 m[6] (23,000ft) below the standard topographic datum of Mars. As of 2001, based on measurements of the Mars Orbiter Laser zero elevation on Mars (standard topographic dataum) was defined as the average radius of the planet at the equator.[7] This type of agreement was necessary since Mars does not have a sea level like the Earth. Before this data came in from the Mars Orbiter, zero altitude was defined as a specific atmospheric pressure of 610.5 Pascals, about six millibars--it is a special number, it's where water can exist as gas, liquid or solid, called "the triple point of water."[8]

The basin is located in the southern highlands of Mars and is thought to have been formed about 3.9 billion years ago, during a period that geologists call the Late Heavy Bombardment. This was a period of much greater asteroid impacts.

Results of asteroid collision

The physics of this great event boggles the mind. Much of the atmosphere may have been removed by the impact.[9] Also, torrential rains may have fallen all over the planet.[10] Studies suggest that when an impact created the Hellas Basin, the entire surface of Mars was heated hundreds of degrees, 70 meters of molted rock fell on the planet, and an atmosphere of gaseous rock was formed. Think about hot, molten rock falling to a depth of a 21 story building. On Earth that would cover all homes and most buildings. This rock atmosphere was 10 times as thick as the Earth's atmosphere. In a few days, the rock would have condensed out and covered the whole planet with an additional 10 m of molten rock.[11] When all this rock cooled all the planet would be covered with rock that was as deep as a 24 story building is tall. And this is not made up folks—the proof is the big hole called the Hellas Basin. Imagine if such a thing happened on the Earth.

On the opposite side of the planet is the Tharsis bulge. The vulcanism there may have been formed as part of the Chaotic Terrain formed from massive impacts.

Strange surfaces—Origin Unknown

In the Northwest portion of Hellas Planitia is a strange type of surface called complex banded terrain or taffy-pull terrain. Its process of formation is still largely unknown, although it appears to be due to erosion of hard and soft sediment along with ductile deformation. Ductile deformation results from layers undergoing strain.[12]

Giant Lake

Early in the planet's history, it is believed that a giant lake existed in the Hellas Basin.[13] Parts of the Hellas Basin are in three different quadrangles: Hellas, Noachis, and Iapygia. Possible shorelines have been discovered. These are evident in alternating benches and scarps visible in Mars orbiting camera narrow-angle images. In addition, Mars orbiting laser altimeter (MOLA) data show that the contacts of these sedimentary units mark contours of constant elevation for thousands of km, and in one case all around the basin. Channels, believed to be formed by water, enter into the basin. The Hellas drainage basin may be almost one-fifth that of the entire northern plains. A lake in Hellas in today's Martian climate would form a thick ice at the top that would eventually Sublimate. That is the ice would turn directly from a solid to a gas.[14] Glacial features ( moraines, drumlins, and eskers) have been found that may have been formed when the water froze.[15] [16]

Twisted Ground in Hellas This is a good example of how difficult it would be to walk on Mars.

How climate change caused ice-rich features

Many features on Mars, including ones in Hellas quadrangle, are believed to contain large amounts of ice. The Hellas region displays many strange and beautiful landscapes. Most do not have their counterparts on the Earth. Researchers have struggled to explain these features and others. Mars holds many mysteries. However, after so much coverage by satellites with increasing better cameras, we have made major strides in understanding the mysteries of the Red Planet. Some aspects of the planet are still debated. We do understand much of the nature of Mars, but some details have yet to be worked out.

Most of the strangeness of the Hellas region relates to climate change. Indeed, most of the whole planet’s surface appearance is driven by drastic and frequent climate changes. These changes are due to basic physics. Seasons on the planets, including the Earth, are caused by the tilt of a planet's rotational axis. Because the Earth has a moon of considerable mass, the Earth’s axis does not change much from its usual 23.5 degrees. However, Mars lacks a large moon; consequently its tilt has even been greater than 80 degrees. Note that its tilt at 25 degrees is almost the same as ours. [19] [20] Studies have shown that when the tilt of Mars reaches 45 degrees from its current 25 degrees, ice is no longer stable at the poles. As a result, it will disappear.[21] Furthermore, at this high tilt, stores of solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) sublimate, thereby increasing the atmospheric pressure. This increased pressure allows more dust to be held in the atmosphere. With more dust, more ice will freeze onto the dust. Eventually, moisture in the atmosphere will fall as snow or as ice frozen onto dust grains. Calculations suggest this material will concentrate in the mid-latitudes. And Hellas is in the mid-latitudes of the southern hemisphere.[22] [23]

Using decades of data from orbiting satellites together with general principles about weather and climate, researchers have developed theories or models that explain why Mars looks like it does. They call these models or theories general circulation models. These theories predict accumulations of ice-rich dust (which becomes permafrost, also called 'mantle') in the same areas where ice-rich features are found.[24] When the tilt begins to return to lower values, the ice sublimates (turns directly to a gas) and leaves behind a lag of dust.[25] [26] This lag deposit caps the underlying material so with each cycle of high tilt levels, some ice-rich mantle remains behind.[27] After many, many cycles of mantle accumulation some places, especially the Hellas region, accumulate very thick deposits of mantle, technically called latitude dependent mantle (because its occurrence depends on the latitude). Some parts of the mantle may have changed into solid ice in a manner analogous to how snow turns into ice in our Earth’s glaciers. The following pictures show expressions of this mantle in the Hellas region.

Niger Vallis with features typical of this latitude, as seen by HiRISE. Chevron patterns result from movement of ice-rich material. Click on image to enlarge in order to see chevron pattern and mantle

The image at the right shows a good view of this smooth mantle around Niger Vallis, as observed with HiRISE.


What happens next is that cracks appear in the surface. Stress is suggested to initiate a fracture process that produces cracks. Cracks expose more surfaces, and consequently more ice can escape into the planet's thin atmosphere. Conditions on Mars are such that the process called Sublimation dominates. On Mars sublimation has been observed when the Phoenix lander uncovered chunks of ice that disappeared in a few days.[28] [29]

Close up showing chunks of ice disappearing in trench called Dodo-Goldlocks


In addition, HiRISE has seen fresh craters with ice at the bottom. HiRISE, a powerful telescope in orbit around the planet, observed these ice deposit disappear over time.[31] Eventually, small cracks become large canyons or troughs in the mantle. Small cracks often contain small pits and chains of pits.[32] [33] When parts of this many meters deep mantle start to have cracks, sublimation takes over and many strange landscapes are created. HiRISE has imaged many of these scenes. Pictures in this article show many of these exotically beautiful forms. Changes in Mars's orbit and tilt cause significant changes in the distribution of water ice from Polar Regions down to latitudes equivalent to Texas. During certain climate period’s, water vapor leaves polar ice and enters the atmosphere. The water returns to the ground at lower latitudes as deposits of frost or snow mixed generously with dust. The atmosphere of Mars contains a great deal of fine dust particles. Water vapor condenses on the particles; consequently, they fall down to the ground due to the additional weight of the water coating. This material that falls, along with snow lands in certain places on Mars. A great deal lands in the Hellas region. It appears as a smooth covering. Due to its great age, the Martian surface is very irregular, but where mantle has accumulated it is smooth. When ice at the top of the mantling layer goes back into the atmosphere, it leaves behind dust, which insulates the remaining ice.[34]

Lobate debris aprons (LDA)

One very important feature common in east Hellas are piles of material surrounding cliffs. This formation is called a lobate debris apron (LDA). Recently, research with the Shallow Radar on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has provided strong evidence that the LDAs are glaciers that are covered with a thin layer of rocks.[35] [36] [37] [38] [39] Large amounts of water ice are believed to be in the LDAs. Available evidence strongly suggests that the eastern part of Hellas accumulated snow in the past. When the tilt (obliquity) of Mars increases the southern ice cap releases large amounts of water vapor. Climate models predict that when this occurs, water vapor condenses and falls where LDAs are located. The tilt of the earth changes little because our relatively large moon keeps it stable. The two tiny Martian moons do not stabilize their planet, so the rotational axis of Mars undergoes large variations.[40] Lobate debris aprons may be a major source of water for future Mars colonists. Their major advantages over other sources of Martian water are that they can easily mapped from orbit and they are closer to the equator, where manned missions are more likely to land.

Lineated Valley Fill (LVF)

Reull Vallis with lineated floor deposits, as seen by THEMIS. Click on image to enlarge to see relationship to other features.

On the floors of some channels are features called lineated floor deposits or lineated valley fill. They are ridged and grooved materials that seem to deflect around obstacles. They are believed to be ice-rich. Some glaciers on the Earth show such features. Lineated floor deposits may be related to lobate debris aprons, which have been proven to contain large amounts of ice. Reull Vallis, as pictured below, displays these deposits.[41]

Lineated valley fill, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

Upper Plains Unit

Close view of upper plains unit breaking down into brain terrain, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program As ice leaves the ground, the ground collapses and winds blow the remaining dust away.

Close view of upper plains unit breaking down into brain terrain As ice leaves the ground, the ground collapses and winds blow the remaining dust away.

Some places the mantle has piled up quite deeply. The remains of a 50-100 meter thick mantling, called the upper plains unit, has been discovered in the mid-latitudes of Mars. It was first investigated in the Deuteronilus Mensae region (in the North), but it occurs in other places as well. The remnants sometimes consist of sets of dipping or tilted layers in craters and along mesas.[42] Sets of dipping layers may be of various sizes and shapes—some look like stepped Aztec pyramids from Central America. The Upper plains unit can have several different appearances.

Some regions of the upper plains unit display large fractures and troughs with raised rims; such regions are called ribbed upper plains. Fractures are believed to have started with small cracks from stresses. Stress is suggested to initiate the fracture process since ribbed upper plains are common when debris aprons come together or near the edge of debris aprons—such sites would generate compressional stresses. Cracks expose more surfaces, and consequently more ice in the material sublimates into the planet's thin atmosphere. Eventually, small cracks become large canyons or troughs.[43] [33]

The upper plains unit is probably just a very thick pile of mantle that has dropped from the sky. It drapes various surfaces and as is the case for other mantle deposits, it has layers, is fine-grained, and is ice-rich. It is widespread; it does not seem to have a point source. The surface appearance of some regions of Mars is due to how this unit has degraded. This unit also degrades into a feature named brain terrain; it looks like the human brain. Brain terrain is a region of maze-like ridges 3–5 meters high. Some ridges may consist of an ice core, so they may be sources of water for future colonists.

Origin of Dao Vallis

Dao Vallis, as seen by THEMIS. Click on image to see relationship of Dao Vallis to other nearby features

Dao Vallis begins near a large volcano, called Hadriaca Patera, so it is thought to have received water when hot magma melted huge amounts of ice in the frozen ground.[44] The partially circular depressions on the left side of the channel in the adjacent image suggests that groundwater sapping also contributed water.[45]

Dust devil tracks

Secchi Crater Floor, as seen by HiRISE. Click on image to see dust devil tracks and a pedestal crater.

Many areas on Mars, including the Hellas quadrangle, experience the passage of giant dust devils. A thin coating of fine bright dust covers most of the Martian surface. When a dust devil goes by it blows away the coating and exposes the underlying dark surface. Dust devils have been seen from the ground and from orbiting spacecraft. They have even blown the dust off of the solar panels of the two Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), thereby greatly extending their lives.[46] The twin Rovers were designed to last for 3 months, instead they have lasted far longer; Opportunity lasted more than 14 years. The pattern of dust devil tracks have been shown to change every few months.[47] A study that combined data from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) and the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) found that some large dust devils on Mars have a diameter of 700 meters and last at least 26 minutes.[48]

Pedestal Craters

Pedestal craters form when the ejecta from impacts protect the underlying material from erosion. As a result of this process, craters appear perched above their surroundings.

Glacial Features

Glaciers, loosely defined as patches of currently or recently flowing ice, are thought to be present across large but restricted areas of the modern Martian surface, and are inferred to have been more widely distributed at times in the past.[49] [50] Lobate convex features on the surface known as viscous flow features and lobate debris aprons are now almost unanimously regarded as true glaciers.[51] [52] [53] [54] [55] [56] [57] [58] A climate model, reported in the journal Science in 2006, found that large amounts of ice should accumulate in the Hellas region, in the same places where glaciers are observed. Water is transported from the south polar area to northern Hellas and falls as precipitation.[59] The following pictures show many features that are probably glaciers—that is they are mostly ice and move downhill—like rivers—but much slower. Researchers started to call these things flows, but later came to understand that they are probably glaciers with a covering of debris.


High center polygons are visible. Box shows size of football field.

High center polygons are visible. Box shows size of football field.

Picture below shows material moving through a crater rim Lateral moraines are labeled.

Material Flowing through a crater rim Lateral moraines are labeled.

Channels

Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program

              Channels,as seen by HiRISE under the HiWish program

Today, it is generally accepted that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.[60] [61] Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early seventies with the Mariner 9 orbiter.[62] [63] [64] [65] Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. [66] [67]

Channel Arrows indicate evidence of a meander.


                    Channel   Arrows indicate evidence of a meander.

Layers

Close view of layers Some layers are breaking up.

Many places on Mars show rocks arranged in layers. Rock can form layers in a variety of ways. Volcanoes, wind, or water can produce layers.[68] A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in Sedimentary Geology of Mars.[69]

Honeycomb terrain

Honeycomb terrain is strangely beautiful. It presents with relatively flat-lying “cells” that appear to have concentric layers or bands, similar to a honeycomb. This "honeycomb" terrain was first discovered in the northwestern part of Hellas.[70] Although several ideas have been put forth, the exact geologic process responsible for creating these features remains unresolved.[71] [72] [73] Some calculations indicate that this formation may have been caused by ice moving up through the ground in this region. The ice layer would have been between 100 m and 1 km thick.[74] [75] [76] When one substance moves up through another denser substance, it is called a “diapir.” In this idea, large masses of ice pushed up layers of rock into domes that were subsequently eroded. After erosion cut off the top of the layered domes, circular features remained. Diapirs are thought to be responsible for features on Neptune's moon Triton, Jupiter's moon Europa, Saturn's moon Enceladus, and Uranus's moon Miranda.[77]

Ridge networks

Networks of ridges sometimes show up in low areas like crater floors. There origin is not completely understood.

Gullies

Close view of gullies, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Curves in channels are evidence that these gullies were not created by landslides.

Gullies occur on steep slopes, especially on the walls of craters. Gullies are believed to be relatively young because they have few, if any craters. Moreover, they lie on top of sand dunes which themselves are considered to be quite young. Usually, each gully has an alcove, channel, and apron.[78] [79] [80] For years, many believed that gullies were formed by running water, but further observations demonstrate that they may be formed by dry ice. Recent studies, using the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), examined gullies at 356 sites, starting in 2006. Thirty-eight of the sites showed active gully formation. Before-and-after images demonstrated the timing of this activity coincided with seasonal carbon dioxide frost and temperatures that would not have allowed for liquid water. When dry ice frost changes to a gas, it may lubricate dry material to flow especially on steep slopes.[81] [82][83] In some years frost, perhaps as thick as 1 meter, triggers avalanches. This frost contains mostly dry ice, but also has tiny amounts of water ice.[84]

Gullies in crater

Close view of gullies in crater Polygons are visible in this close view.


               Close view of gullies in crater  Polygons are visible in this close view.

Polygons

Some surfaces on Mars display polygons. These may be of different sizes. Polygons are an example of patterned ground. Polygonal, patterned ground is quite common in some regions of Mars.[85] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90]

Exposed ice sheets

Thick deposits of ice were found by a team of researchers using instruments on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).[91] The team of scientists found eight eroding slopes that showed exposed water ice sheets as thick as 100 meters. Seven of the locations were in the southern hemisphere. Much evidence of buried ice under the ground on vast regions of Mars has already been found by past studies, but this study found that the ice was only covered by a layer of about 1 or 2 meters thick of Martian soil.[92] [93] [94] Shane Byrne of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Tucson, one of the co-authors remarked that future colonists of the Red Planet would be able to gather up ice with just a bucket and shovel.[95] The layered ice is exposed in triangular shaped depressions. They are unique in that one wall is very steep and faces the pole. Confirmation that water-ice makes up the layers came from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Spectra gathered by CRISM showed strong signals of water.[96] These layers are especially prominent in depressions in Hellas quadrangle as shown in the enlarged views below.

Besides being of great value to future explorers, these ice layers could help us better understand the climate history of Mars. They provide a record of the past. The large variations in the tilt of the planet cause dramatic climate variations. Mars does not possess a large moon to keep its tilt stable. Today, ice is concentrated at the poles, with a greater tilt, more ice will exist at mid-latitudes. These climate changes may be able to be measured with study of these layers.

These triangular depressions are similar to those in scalloped terrain. However scalloped terrain, displays a gentle equator-facing slope and is rounded. Scalloped terrain lacks the sharp vertical wall of these depressions.

Scalloped topography

Scalloped topography is common in the mid-latitudes of Mars, between 45° and 60° north and south. In the region around Hellas it is found in locations called Peneus Patera and Amphitrites Paterae[99] [100] in the southern hemisphere. It consists of shallow, rimless depressions with scalloped edges, commonly referred to as "scalloped depressions" or simply "scallops". Scalloped depressions can be isolated or clustered and sometimes seem to coalesce. A typical scalloped depression displays a gentle equator-facing slope and a steeper pole-facing scarp.[101] [102] Scalloped depressions are believed to form from the removal of subsurface material, possibly interstitial ice, by sublimation (direct transition of a material from the solid to the gas phase with no intermediate liquid stage). This process may still be happening at present.[103] This topography may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because it may point to deposits of pure ice.[104]

Additional Images in Hellas quadrangle

Possible dike and troughs The arrows point to the possible dike along the left edge of picture. Straight features are rare in nature; they are often due to dikes and joints.


Possible dike and troughs The arrows point to the possible dike along the left edge of picture. Straight features are rare in nature; they are often due to dikes and joints.

Ridges forming from cracks Box in upper left shows size of football field. Just imagine trying to hike across such a landscape.

Ridges forming from cracks Box in upper left shows size of football field. Just imagine trying to hike across such a landscape.

External links

HISTORY OF MARS. Shows map of water related features.

See also

References:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellas_Planitia#:~:text=Before%20Giovanni%20Schiaparelli%20gave%20it,produced%20%22the%20first%20really%20truthful
  2. https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/
  3. Carr | first=Michael H. | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn= 978-0-521-87201-0 | title= The Surface of Mars |date=2006 |
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