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The martian hydrosphere/cryosphere system: Implications of the absence of hydrologic activity at Lyot crater
Author(s) -
Russell P. S.,
Head J. W.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2002gl015178
Subject(s) - hydrosphere , martian , cryosphere , impact crater , amazonian , geology , mars exploration program , astrobiology , groundwater , earth science , climatology , amazon rainforest , sea ice , biosphere , ecology , physics , biology , geotechnical engineering
The Amazonian‐aged 215 km‐diameter Lyot crater represents a transient 'drill‐hole' into the martian hydrosphere/cryosphere system. Cratering mechanics predict that the event should have penetrated the cryosphere and released groundwater held under artesian conditions. A plausible explanation for the lack of evidence for hydrologic activity within Lyot is an absence of abundant subsurface groundwater in the region at the time of impact.