Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas

Details Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas

Feb 2012

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012jgre..11702006p&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 117, Issue E2, CiteID E02006

Mathematics

Logic

1

Cryosphere: Ice (1863)

Scientific paper

In this paper, we use morphological and numerical methods to test the hypothesis that seasonally formed fracture patterns in the Martian polar regions result from the brittle failure of seasonal CO2 slab ice. The observations by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) of polar regions of Mars show very narrow dark elongated linear patterns that are observed during some periods of time in spring, disappear in summer and re-appear again in the following spring. They are repeatedly formed in the same areas but they do not repeat the exact pattern from year to year. This leads to the conclusion that they are cracks formed in the seasonal ice layer. Some of models of seasonal surface processes rely on the existence of a transparent form of CO2 ice, so-called slab ice. For the creation of the observed cracks the ice is required to be a continuous media, not an agglomeration of relatively separate particles like a firn. The best explanation for our observations is a slab ice with relatively high transparency in the visible wavelength range. This transparency allows a solid state green-house effect to act underneath the ice sheet raising the pressure by sublimation from below. The trapped gas creates overpressure and the ice sheet breaks at some point creating the observed cracks. We show that the times when the cracks appear are in agreement with the model calculation, providing one more piece of evidence that CO2 slab ice covers polar areas in spring.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Polygonal cracks in the seasonal semi-translucent CO2 ice layer in Martian polar areas will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1839557