1997/08/01 by M. T. Mellon, B. M. Jakosky, S. E. Postawko · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Planetary Science and Exploration #Astro and Planetary Science #Scientific Research and Discoveries
paper · pdf · doi:10.1029/97je01346
openalex publication_date 1997/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
In the current Martian climate, ground ice is unstable in the equatorial regions and, if present, would undergo sublimation and diffusive loss to the atmosphere. Previous studies suggest that the ice table (the uppermost occurrence of ice in the regolith) would continuously recede throughout geologic history. We present new models of the behavior of ice in the Martian equatorial regolith which predict that porous interstitial ice will persist at relatively shallow depths for geologically long periods of time. The persistence of interstitial ice is due to recondensation of water vapor as it diffuses toward the surface, encountering colder temperatures. We discuss the implications for the formation of rampart craters and debris aprons.