Evidence of glaciers in the Martian equatorial regions?
Cool image time! The photo to the right, cropped and reduced to post here, was taken on February 2, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and was labeled as “Exhumed Craters Exhibiting Concentric Fill”.
The term “Concentric Fill” is used by planetary scientists to mark glacial-type features frequently found inside craters at latitudes greater than 30 degrees latitude. This crater however is at 22 degrees north latitude, too close normally to the equator to expect a buried glacier inside it. Any ice at such a latitude is expected to be underground and well protected. A debris covered glacier would likely sublimate away, which I think is why the scientists labeled this “exhumed.” Though there are the concentric features near its inside rim as well as covered by the sand dunes on the crater’s floor, they are assuming this is only evidence of past ice, no longer there. This assumption is strengthened by the splattered but eroded nature of the surrounding terrain. Such splats are typical of high latitude impacts in regions with ample buried ice. The eroded nature of this splat however suggests it is very old and has likely lost its ice.
Then again, this is an assumption.
Click for the high resolution global map of Mars.
The overview map marks the location of this crater by the white cross, placing it about 300 miles south of the solar system’s largest known canyon, Valles Marineris. This map also shows that the crater is at a high elevation on the volcanic Tharsis Rise. Could that high elevation help preserve buried ice because of the generally colder climate? Maybe, but the high elevation also means more sunlight and thus more radiation to help sublimate that ice. If there is buried ice here however it will expand the regions on Mars where water will be readily available, merely by digging.
The overview map to the right also provides a global view of Mars, something I have not posted enough. It thus provides the larger context for my readers, who normally don’t get to see maps of the whole planet in my many cool image posts. It also can provide a nice geography lesson for those who wish to gain a better global sense of Mars, as presently understood. If you want to look at the map at full resolution, click on the overview image.
The map not only names most of the major features on the planet, it also marks with white borders the regions above 30 degrees latitude on Mars where scientists have detected evidence of many glaciers or buried ice. In addition it notes the landing spots for all the successful past rovers and landers, as well as the landing zones for future rovers, landers, and even manned spacecraft (specifically SpaceX’s Starship).
For those interested in figuring out the places on Mars to build those first colonies, whether you are an engineer or science fiction writer, this map will be very useful. Feel free to distribute, with the only requirement I ask is that you credit me and Behind the Black.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
Cool image time! The photo to the right, cropped and reduced to post here, was taken on February 2, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and was labeled as “Exhumed Craters Exhibiting Concentric Fill”.
The term “Concentric Fill” is used by planetary scientists to mark glacial-type features frequently found inside craters at latitudes greater than 30 degrees latitude. This crater however is at 22 degrees north latitude, too close normally to the equator to expect a buried glacier inside it. Any ice at such a latitude is expected to be underground and well protected. A debris covered glacier would likely sublimate away, which I think is why the scientists labeled this “exhumed.” Though there are the concentric features near its inside rim as well as covered by the sand dunes on the crater’s floor, they are assuming this is only evidence of past ice, no longer there. This assumption is strengthened by the splattered but eroded nature of the surrounding terrain. Such splats are typical of high latitude impacts in regions with ample buried ice. The eroded nature of this splat however suggests it is very old and has likely lost its ice.
Then again, this is an assumption.
Click for the high resolution global map of Mars.
The overview map marks the location of this crater by the white cross, placing it about 300 miles south of the solar system’s largest known canyon, Valles Marineris. This map also shows that the crater is at a high elevation on the volcanic Tharsis Rise. Could that high elevation help preserve buried ice because of the generally colder climate? Maybe, but the high elevation also means more sunlight and thus more radiation to help sublimate that ice. If there is buried ice here however it will expand the regions on Mars where water will be readily available, merely by digging.
The overview map to the right also provides a global view of Mars, something I have not posted enough. It thus provides the larger context for my readers, who normally don’t get to see maps of the whole planet in my many cool image posts. It also can provide a nice geography lesson for those who wish to gain a better global sense of Mars, as presently understood. If you want to look at the map at full resolution, click on the overview image.
The map not only names most of the major features on the planet, it also marks with white borders the regions above 30 degrees latitude on Mars where scientists have detected evidence of many glaciers or buried ice. In addition it notes the landing spots for all the successful past rovers and landers, as well as the landing zones for future rovers, landers, and even manned spacecraft (specifically SpaceX’s Starship).
For those interested in figuring out the places on Mars to build those first colonies, whether you are an engineer or science fiction writer, this map will be very useful. Feel free to distribute, with the only requirement I ask is that you credit me and Behind the Black.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
“If there is buried ice here however it will expand the regions on Mars where water will be readily available, merely by digging.”
That would be great for future colonizing attempts. It might also reduce future competition among (state and private) powers over prime locations.
And thanks for the map, Bob.