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Earth-like aqueous debris-flow activity on Mars at high orbital obliquity in the last million years

Author

Listed:
  • T. de Haas

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Universiteit Utrecht)

  • E. Hauber

    (Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center)

  • S. J. Conway

    (Open University, Walton Hall)

  • H. van Steijn

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Universiteit Utrecht)

  • A. Johnsson

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • M. G. Kleinhans

    (Faculty of Geosciences, Universiteit Utrecht)

Abstract

Liquid water is currently extremely rare on Mars, but was more abundant during periods of high obliquity in the last few millions of years. This is testified by the widespread occurrence of mid-latitude gullies: small catchment-fan systems. However, there are no direct estimates of the amount and frequency of liquid water generation during these periods. Here we determine debris-flow size, frequency and associated water volumes in Istok crater, and show that debris flows occurred at Earth-like frequencies during high-obliquity periods in the last million years on Mars. Results further imply that local accumulations of snow/ice within gullies were much more voluminous than currently predicted; melting must have yielded centimetres of liquid water in catchments; and recent aqueous activity in some mid-latitude craters was much more frequent than previously anticipated.

Suggested Citation

  • T. de Haas & E. Hauber & S. J. Conway & H. van Steijn & A. Johnsson & M. G. Kleinhans, 2015. "Earth-like aqueous debris-flow activity on Mars at high orbital obliquity in the last million years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms8543
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8543
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