A Large New Crater Exposes the Limits of Water Ice on Mars

Dundas, C. M.; Mellon, M. T.; Posiolova, Liliya; Miljković, K.; Collins, G. S.; Tornabene, L. L.; Rangarajan, Vidhya Ganesh; Golombek, M. P.; Warner, N.; Daubar, I. J.; Byrne, Shane; McEwen, A. S.; Seelos, K. D.; Viola, D.; Bramson, A. M.; Speth, Gunnar

doi:10.1029/2022gl100747

Cited by 20 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…The breakup of an impactor of the size required to produce the S1222a would have produced a widely‐strewn spread of primary craters, of which there is no evidence in the high‐resolution images. Furthermore, even if the main crater were hidden by steep topography, a large strewn field of craters would similarly be expected (Dundas et al., 2023), yet none is observed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

A Tectonic Origin for the Largest Marsquake Observed by InSight

Fernando,

Daubar,

Charalambous

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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The S1222a marsquake detected by InSight on 4 May 2022 was the largest of the mission, at 4.7. Given its resemblance to two other large seismic events (S1000a and S1094b), which were associated with the formation of fresh craters, we undertook a search for a fresh crater associated with S1222a. Such a crater would be expected to be ∼300 m in diameter and have a blast zone on the order of 180 km across. Orbital images were targeted and searched as part of an international, multi‐mission effort. Comprehensive analysis of the area using low‐ and medium‐resolution images reveals no relevant transient atmospheric phenomena and no fresh blast zone. High‐resolution coverage of the epicentral area from most spacecraft are more limited, but no fresh crater or other evidence of a new impact have been identified in those images either. We thus conclude that the S1222a event was highly likely of tectonic origin.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

A Tectonic Origin for the Largest Marsquake Observed by InSight

Fernando,

Daubar,

Charalambous

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…Finally, ice excavations at impact craters show near-surface ice down to latitudes of 35°N (Byrne et al, 2009;Dundas et al, 2014Dundas et al, , 2021Dundas et al, , 2023. These exposed ice chunks may be more like pure ice than pore-filling due to the low regolith content in the ice (Dundas et al, 2014(Dundas et al, , 2021(Dundas et al, , 2023. In each case, our model, as well as those of Chamberlain and Boynton (2007), Mellon et al (2004), and Schorghofer and Aharonson (2005) do not predict stable ice at these locations with current humidity (Figure 3).…”

Section: Possible Presence Of Unstable Water Icementioning

confidence: 85%

“…Finally, ice excavations at impact craters show near‐surface ice down to latitudes of 35°N (Byrne et al., 2009; Dundas et al., 2014, 2021, 2023). These exposed ice chunks may be more like pure ice than pore‐filling due to the low regolith content in the ice (Dundas et al., 2014, 2021, 2023). In each case, our model, as well as those of Chamberlain and Boynton (2007), Mellon et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The red curve is the observed 10% Water-Equivalent Hydrogen contour, which is a good proxy for the presence of water ice in the shallow subsurface(Pathare et al, 2018). White dots indicate exposed water ice along cliff scarps and impact craters as reported inDundas et al (2021Dundas et al ( , 2023 White diamonds indicate exposed water ice along gullies(Khuller & Christensen, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Reappraisal of Subtropical Subsurface Water Ice Stability on Mars

Lange,

Forget,

Vincendon

et al. 2023

Geophysical Research Letters

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Massive reservoirs of subsurface water ice in equilibrium with atmospheric water vapor are found poleward of 45° latitude on Mars. The absence of CO2 frost on steep pole‐facing slopes and simulations of atmospheric‐soil water exchanges suggested that water ice could be stable underneath these slopes down to 25° latitude. We revisit these arguments with a new slope microclimate model. Our model shows that below 30° latitude, slopes are warmer than previously estimated as the air above is heated by warm surrounding plains. This additional heat prevents the formation of surface CO2 frost and subsurface water ice for most slopes. Our model suggests the presence of subsurface water ice beneath pole‐facing slopes down to 30° latitude, and possibly 25° latitude on sparse steep dusty slopes. While unstable ice deposits might be present, our results suggest that water ice is rarer than previously thought in the ±30° latitude range considered for human exploration.

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“…These were larger broadband (BB)-type events at much greater, teleseismic distances. These events allowed the deeper crustal structure of Mars to be probed (Kim et al 2022) and also uncovered the nearest-equatorial water ice ever found on Mars (Dundas et al 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Two Seismic Events from InSight Confirmed as New Impacts on Mars

Daubar,

Fernando,

Garcia

et al. 2023

Planet. Sci. J.

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We report confirmed impact sources for two seismic events on Mars detected by the NASA InSight mission. These events have been positively associated with fresh impact craters identified from orbital images, which match predicted locations and sizes to within a factor of 3, and have formation time constraints consistent with the seismic event dates. They are both of the very high frequency family of seismic events and are present with chirps (dispersed infrasound/acoustic waves). This brings the total number of confirmed Martian impact-related seismic events to eight thus far. All seismic events with chirp signals have now been confirmed as having been caused by impact cratering events. This includes all seismic activity within 100 km of the lander and two out of the four events with source locations between 100 and 300 km distance.

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A Large New Crater Exposes the Limits of Water Ice on Mars

Cited by 20 publications

References 53 publications

A Tectonic Origin for the Largest Marsquake Observed by InSight

A Tectonic Origin for the Largest Marsquake Observed by InSight

A Reappraisal of Subtropical Subsurface Water Ice Stability on Mars

Two Seismic Events from InSight Confirmed as New Impacts on Mars

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