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Cold and dry processes in the Martian Arctic: Geomorphic observations at the Phoenix landing site and comparisons with terrestrial cold desert landforms
Author(s) -
Levy Joseph S.,
Head James W.,
Marchant David R.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1029/2009gl040634
Subject(s) - phoenix , martian , landform , mars exploration program , geology , arctic , earth science , astrobiology , physical geography , the arctic , desert (philosophy) , environmental science , geomorphology , geography , oceanography , archaeology , physics , metropolitan area , philosophy , epistemology
We analyze Surface Stereo Imager observations of rocks, sediments, and permafrost‐related landforms in the vicinity of the Phoenix lander, comparing the imaged features to analogous examples of physical weathering and periglacial processes observed in the Antarctic Dry Valleys. Observations at the Phoenix landing site of pitted rocks, “puzzle rocks” undergoing in‐situ breakdown, perched clasts, and thermal contraction crack polygon morphologies strikingly similar to terrestrial sublimation polygons, all strongly suggest that stable (non‐churning) permafrost processes dominate the Phoenix landing site. Morphological evidence suggests that cold‐desert processes, in the absence of wet active‐layer cryoturbation, and largely driven by sublimation of buried ice (either pore ice, excess ice, or both) are shaping the landscape.