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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • water
  • gullies
  • Mars

Index Terms

  • Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Hydrology and fluvial processes
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Erosion and weathering
  • Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote sensing

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 37, L06203, 7 PP., 2010
doi:10.1029/2009GL042192

Evidence for present day gully activity on the Russell crater dune field, Mars

D. Reiss

Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany

G. Erkeling

Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany

K. E. Bauch

Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany

H. Hiesinger

Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany

On the basis of High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of two successive years we observed changes of a gully on the Russell crater dune field. Within the first year the length of a ∼2 m wide incised gully channel grew about 50 m downslope, and ∼120 m within in the second year. Gully activity occurred in early spring between LS ∼198° and ∼218° in the first year and between LS ∼192° and ∼221° in the second year. Based on the channel morphology, spectral data and modeled surface temperatures, the changes can be best explained with transient melting of small amounts of H2O-ice triggering slurry flows consisting of sand mixed with liquid water.

Received 15 December 2009; accepted 22 February 2010; published 26 March 2010.

Citation: Reiss, D., G. Erkeling, K. E. Bauch, and H. Hiesinger (2010), Evidence for present day gully activity on the Russell crater dune field, Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L06203, doi:10.1029/2009GL042192.

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