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Conceptual Model for the Removal of Cold‐Trapped H 2 O Ice on the Mars Northern Seasonal Springtime Polar Cap
Author(s) -
Titus T. N.,
Williams K. E.,
Cushing G. E.
Publication year - 2020
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 - 10.1029/2020gl087387
Subject(s) - sublimation (psychology) , mars exploration program , water ice , ice cloud , polar , atmospheric sciences , geology , ice core , climatology , astrobiology , physics , psychology , quantum mechanics , astronomy , psychotherapist , radiative transfer
The transport of H 2 O ice along the retreating north polar seasonal CO 2 ice cap has previously been modeled and observed. Spectral observations show that H 2 O ice forms on the interior of the seasonal cap, while thermal observations show these regions to be consistent with CO 2 ice. Prior to the sublimation of the seasonal CO 2 , the observed H 2 O ice deposits are diminished—and because H 2 O ice sublimation rates are extremely slow while in direct thermal contact with CO 2 ice, an alternate removal process must be operating. We propose a model where the process of removing these H 2 O deposits starts with insolation‐induced basal sublimation of the underlying CO 2 ice. This sublimed gas would “seep” upward and into the interface between the two ices, increasing pressure until the gas pressure fractures the cold‐trapped H 2 O ice. Small fragments would be suspended while larger fragments would be pushed aside, exposing the underlying CO 2 ice.