Mass wasting triggered by seasonal CO2 sublimation under Martian atmospheric conditions: Laboratory experiments

Sylvest, Matthew E.; Conway, Susan J.; Patel, Manish R.; Dixon, John C. and Barnes, Adam (2016). Mass wasting triggered by seasonal CO2 sublimation under Martian atmospheric conditions: Laboratory experiments. Geophysical Research Letters, 43(24) pp. 12363–12370.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL071022

Abstract

Sublimation is a recognized process by which planetary landscapes can be modified. However, interpretation of whether sublimation is involved in downslope movements on Mars and other bodies is restricted by a lack of empirical data to constrain this mechanism of sediment transport and its influence on landform morphology. Here we present the first set of laboratory experiments under Martian atmospheric conditions which demonstrate that the sublimation of CO2 ice from within the sediment body can trigger failure of unconsolidated, regolith slopes and can measurably alter the landscape. Previous theoretical studies required CO2 slab ice for movements, but we find that only frost is required. Hence, sediment transport by CO2 sublimation could be more widely applicable (in space and time) on Mars than previously thought. This supports recent work suggesting CO2 sublimation could be responsible for recent modification in Martian gullies.

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About

  • Item ORO ID
  • 48270
  • Item Type
  • Journal Item
  • ISSN
  • 0094-8276
  • Project Funding Details
  • Funded Project NameProject IDFunding Body
    EUROPLANET 2020 RINot SetEC (European Commission): FP(inc.Horizon2020, H2020, ERC)
    Modelling and retrieval of martian dust, ice and ozone from ExoMars NOMAD dataST/P001262/1UKSA UK Space Agency
    Understanding Planet Mars With Advanced Remote-sensing Datasets and Synergistic studies633127EC (European Commission): FP (inc.Horizon2020 & ERC schemes)
  • Keywords
  • sublimation; Mars; Martian gullies; carbon dioxide; laboratory simulation
  • Academic Unit or School
  • Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences
    Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
  • Copyright Holders
  • © 2016 American Geophysical Union
  • Depositing User
  • Manish Patel
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)

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