Mars South Polar Layered Deposits on top of Martian Smectites (IMAGE)

York University

Mars South Polar Layered Deposits on top of Martian Smectites

Caption

Mars South Polar Layered Deposits on top of Martian Smectites: The multi-kilometer thick south polar ice cap has a base that is composed, at least partially, of a common type of clays. These clays are found over nearly half of the planet's surface and now at the edges of the ice cap. Radar measurements of the clays from a lab led by Smith show that they can explain the bright reflections observed by MARSIS, a simpler explanation than bodies of liquid water

Credit

ESA/DRL/FU Berlin (top), NASA (bottom).

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