Ice on Mars

Abstract

Ice unquestionably exists on Mars. Annual polar-region frost blankets are principally solid CO2, and perennial residual ice caps near each pole are probably water ice, except for a part of the north polar cap which may consist of a 1 km thick mass of solid CO2. Minor amounts of carbon-dioxide clathrate (CO2 · ≈ 6H2O) presumably accompany the solid CO2. The annual frost blankets may have a concentric banding with an outermost very thin layer of water frost, an intermediate narrow zone of clathrate, and a major central core of solid CO2. Layered deposits and underlying homogeneous materials mantle large areas within both polar regions. These blankets are probably composed of dust, volcanic ash, or both, and possibly contain frozen volatiles. They may comprise the largest reservoir of water substance on the Martian surface. Ground ice formed by the freezing of ascending de-gassed water substance may underlie the surface of Mars. Localized collapse of small areas may be due to ground-ice deterioration, and recession of steep slopes may have been caused by ground-ice sapping. If liquid water ever existed in significant quantities on the Martian surface, intense frost shattering, widespread creep, and prolific development of patterned structures should have occurred because the thermal regimen of the surface is highly favorable to the freeze–thaw process. It is ineffective at present owing to the lack of liquid water. No evidence suggests that the residual ice caps have ever acted like terrestrial glaciers in terms of erosion and deposition. Currently, they are too thin, too cold, and presumably frozen to their substrates. Their most important function is to buffer the atmosphere in terms of its H2O and CO2 content, thereby exerting a modifying influence on the surface environment of the entire planet.