Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1773891 Icarus 2011 5 Pages PDF
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.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Space and Planetary Science
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