Radar evidence for ice in lobate debris aprons in the mid-northern latitudes of Mars

Abstract

Subsurface radar sounding data indicate that lobate debris aprons found in Deuteronilus Mensae in the midnorthern latitudes of Mars are composed predominantly of water ice. The position in time delay and the relatively low amount of signal loss of the apparent basal reflectors below the debris aprons indicate that aprons contain only a minor component of lithic material. The current presence of large ice masses at these latitudes has important implications for the climate evolution of Mars, and for future targets for in situ exploration. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.