Meter-scale morphology of the north polar region of Mars.
Mars' north pole is covered by a dome of layered ice deposits. Detailed ( approximately 30 centimeters per pixel) images of this region were obtained with the High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Planum Boreum basal unit scarps reveal cross-bedding and show evidence for recent mass wasting, flow, and debris accumulation. The north polar layers themselves are as thin as 10 centimeters but appear to be covered by a dusty veneer in places, which may obscure thinner layers. Repetition of particular layer types implies that quasi-periodic climate changes influenced the stratigraphic sequence in the polar layered deposits, informing models for recent climate variations on Mars.
Herkenhoff
K E
KE
Astrogeology Team, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA. kherkenhoff@usgs.gov
Byrne
S
S
Russell
P S
PS
Fishbaugh
K E
KE
McEwen
A S
AS
D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D007053:Ice; D018535:Mars
D007053:Ice