Frozen Martian lahars? Evaluation of morphology, degradation and geologic development in the Utopia-Elysium transition zone

It is here furthermore suggested that continued intrusive volcanic activity was highly affected by the presence of the ice-rich lahar deposits, generating ground-ice-volcano interactions resulting in a secondary suite of morphologies. These morphologies include seventeen ridges that are interpreted to be möberg ridges (due to their NW-SE orientation, distinct ridge-crests and association with fractures and linear ridges) and depressions with nested faults interpreted to be similar to terrestrial ice-cauldrons, which form by enhanced subglacial geothermal activity including subglacial volcanic eruptions. These sub-lahar intrusions caused significant volatile loss in the ice-rich core of the distal lahar deposit and resulted in remobilization, deflation, and retreat of the lahar deposits, explaining the raised rim fractures, enclosed depressions, and small isolated islands found in distal lahar deposits.