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Limits on Runoff Episode Duration for Early Mars: Integrating Lake Hydrology and Climate Models
Author(s) -
Stucky de Quay Gaia,
Goudge Timothy A.,
Kite Edwin S.,
Fassett Caleb I.,
Guzewich Scott D.
Publication year - 2021
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 - 10.1029/2021gl093523
Subject(s) - surface runoff , mars exploration program , precipitation , environmental science , martian , hydrosphere , hydrology (agriculture) , climate change , climate model , climatology , structural basin , duration (music) , geology , meteorology , geography , ecology , geomorphology , oceanography , art , literature , biosphere , physics , geotechnical engineering , astronomy , biology
Fluvio‐lacustrine features on the martian surface attest to a climate that was radically different in the past. Since climate models have difficulty sustaining a liquid hydrosphere at the surface, multiple cycles of runoff episodes may have characterized the ancient Mars climate. A fundamental question thus remains: what was the duration of these runoff‐producing episodes? Here we use morphometric measurements from newly identified coupled lake systems, containing both an open‐ and a closed‐basin lake ( n = 7). We combined hydrological balances with precipitation outputs from climate models, and found that breaching runoff episodes likely lasted 1 0 2 − 1 0 5 yr; other episodes may have been shorter but could not be longer. Runoff episode durations are model‐dependent and spatially variable, and no climate model scenario can satisfy a unique duration for all coupled systems. In the near future, these quantitative constraints on early Mars lake persistence may be tested through in situ observations from Perseverance rover.