Mars: Dynamics of Icesheets from Regolith-Atmosphere Interactions

Physics

Scientific paper

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5416 Glaciation, 5422 Ices, 6225 Mars

Scientific paper

The high ice content of the high latitude permafrost results from an icesheet that formed by precipitation, while the balance of its geographic distribution with atmospheric humidity indicates it is governed by regolith- atmosphere exchange. These two facts can be reconciled if there is a mid-latitude band of regolith filled with ice by diffusion and an older ice sheet that has retreated poleward from today's equilibrium position. After the icesheet has formed, its dynamics is limited by vapor diffusion through sublimation till, a process not included in previous climate models of the atmospheric circulation. Simulations of the retreat and growth of the ice sheet as a result of regolith-atmosphere exchange reveal numerous ice ages over the past 5 million years. Today, this gives rise not only to a narrow latitude band of diffusively filled regolith compatible with existing neutron and gamma ray measurements, but also to a three-layered depth distribution in the high latitudes, consisting of, from top to bottom, a dry layer, diffusively filled sublimation till, and the original icesheet.

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