Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p13a1258s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P13A-1258
Mathematics
Logic
[1825] Hydrology / Geomorphology: Fluvial, [5415] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Erosion And Weathering, [5419] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Hydrology And Fluvial Processes, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
An ancient era of flowing liquids on Mars has been inferred for decades based upon its presently dry channels and valleys. Traditionally interpreted as carved by dilute or “pure” water, these fluvial landforms have been invoked as compelling evidence for changes in climate because dilute water is now unstable in its liquid form on Mars. This assumption has underpinned the widely accepted hypothesis that an early warm wet climate on Mars preceded today’s cold dry climate. However, recent data strongly suggest that Mars once had saline and acid ephemeral shallow surface waters and groundwaters. We present a synthesis of morphological observations of martian landforms and physical sedimentology experiments that show morphologic similarity between martian channels and those carved by acid brines. Based on this we argue for an alternate interpretation of Mars climate history because sulfuric acid brines are capable of remaining liquid at current martian conditions, and thus, there is no need to call for a warmer martian climate in the past to explain fluvial landforms that may have been formed by sulfuric acid brines. Consequently, Mars may have had a consistently cool, semi-arid climate throughout much of its history.
Benison K.
Laclair Deidre
Montgomery David R.
Som Sanjoy M.
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