Abstract
AbstractWidespread valley networks (VNs) on Mars and other evidence point to an early warm and wet climate. However, ongoing debates still exist about VN's formation processes and associated climatic conditions. The power law relationship between basin length and area (Hack's Law) can be diagnostic of different fluvial processes related to climatic conditions. Past studies of Hack's Law on Mars at local sites have produced inconclusive results. Here we used a parameter‐free method to delineate watersheds globally on Mars based on mapped VNs and extracted their Hack's Law exponent (h). The majority of h values on Mars are similar to those in arid areas on Earth, suggesting similar runoff processes and arid conditions for VN formation on early Mars. Statistical analyses show that the spatial distribution of h on Mars is not random, but with a few clustered high and low values, likely controlled by local conditions (e.g., regional topographic slope).
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
