Keys to gully formation processes on Mars: Relation to climate cycles and sources of meltwater |
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Authors: | Samuel C Schon James W Head |
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Institution: | Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA |
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Abstract: | Advances in dating gullies on Mars using superposition relationships and a stratigraphic marker horizon link gully chronostratigraphy to recent climate cycles. New observations of gully morphology show the close association of gully source regions, channels, and fan deposits with well-documented ice-rich latitude-dependent mantle deposits, the deposition of which is interpreted to be coincident with recent ice ages. On the basis of these close correlations, we interpret the formative processes for mid-latitude gullies to involve melting of these ice-rich mantling deposits and the generation of an aqueous phase leading to fluvial activity. Continued monitoring of gullies by spacecraft in the current “interglacial” climate period (∼0.4 Ma to the present) will permit assessment of changing rates and styles of gully activity in the now largely depleted source areas. |
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Keywords: | Mars Surface Mars Climate Geological processes Cratering |
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