Current activity on the Martian surface: A key subject for future exploration

Bulletin of the AAS
By: , and 

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Abstract

One of the fundamental discoveries in Mars science in the last decade has been the extent and importance of current surface activity. Recent results have shifted our view of Mars from a world where the most interesting geologic events were in the distant past (similar to the Moon) to a world that undergoes active evolution and one where understanding the present is key to deciphering the planet’s history. When input was requested for the last Planetary Science Decadal Survey, some observations of surface changes had been published, but the number of detections was small and their significance not fully appreciated. Since that time, detections have proliferated, driven primarily by the long-term operation of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) as well as landed observations of aeolian activity. In addition to observed changes, theory suggests that additional important surface processes are likely active but not yet observed because orbital data are limited in space and time and landed studies are rare.

Understanding current Martian surface processes is a fundamental science question in itself, as it provides a test for physical and terrestrial analog-based models of specific geological processes acting under non-Earth planetary and environmental conditions. It is also an essential step for reading Mars’ geologic history and providing input to climate models: without understanding current dynamic processes, we cannot understand how they have varied during recent climate cycles, nor how they are reflected in ancient rock or modern ice records. Understanding the rates and types of current surface activity is also highly relevant to selecting geological samples, setting Planetary Protection rules, and understanding the hazards and environment that would be experienced by future human explorers.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype Federal Government Series
Title Current activity on the Martian surface: A key subject for future exploration
Series title Bulletin of the AAS
DOI 10.3847/25c2cfeb.72861191
Volume 53
Issue 4
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher National Academy of Sciences
Contributing office(s) Astrogeology Science Center
Description Whitepaper #157, 8 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype Federal Government Series
Larger Work Title Planetary science and astrobiology decadal survey 2023-2032
First page 2023
Last page 2032
Other Geospatial Mars
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