Year: 1993
Type: article
Abstract: The valley networks may hold the key to unlocking the paleoclimatic history of Mars. These enigmatic landforms may be regarded as the Martian equivalent of the Rosetta Stone. Therefore, a more thorough understanding of their origin and evolution is required. However, there is still no consensus among investigators regarding the formation (runoff vs. sapping) of these features. Recent climatic modeling precludes warm (0 degrees C) globally averaged surface temperatures prior to 2 b.y. when solar luminosity was 25-30 percent less than present levels. This paper advocates snowmelt as the dominant process responsible for the formation of the dendritic valley networks. Evidence for Martian snowfall and subsequent melt has been discussed in previous studies.
Author: J. W. Rice
Language: English
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2169055271