Water on Mars

Water on Mars is almost entirely ice with small quantities of vapour in the atmosphere^[1] and occasionally low-volume liquid brines in shallow soil.^[2]

Artist's impression ancient Mars, based on geological data.

River valleys and outflow channels

Area around Northern Kasei Valles, showing relationships among Kasei Valles, Bahram Vallis, Vedra Vallis, Maumee Vallis, and Maja Valles. Location is Lunae Palus quadrangle
Branched channels in Thaumasia quadrangle
The branched channels seen by Viking from orbit strongly suggested that it rained on Mars in the past. Location is Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle.
Channels near the rim of Ius Chasma. Their pattern and high density suggest precipitation as the source of the water. Location is Coprates quadrangle.
Ravi Vallis was probably formed when catastrophic floods came out of the ground. Location is Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle.
Tear-drop shaped islands caused by flood waters from Maja Vallis, as seen by Viking Orbiter. Location is Oxia Palus quadrangle
Flat terrain near the north pole of Mars showing polygonal patterns.
Patterned ground on Mars at 45° North
These rings on Mars may have been caused by crust moving over steam produced by lava interacting with water ice.

Gullies

Crater wall inside Mariner Crater showing a large group of gullies
Gullies on one wall of Kaiser Crater. Gullies usually are found in only one wall of a crater. Location is Noachis quadrangle.
Gullies near Newton Crater. Location is Phaethontis quadrangle
Gullies near Newton Crater
Gullies near Gorgonum Chaos
Gullies near Noachis Terra
Seasonal Flows in Newton Crater

Glaciers

The arrow in the left picture points to a possible valley carved by a glacier. The image on the right shows the valley greatly enlarged in a Mars Global Surveyor image.
Glacier moving down valley, then spreading out on plain. Location is Ismenius Lacus quadrangle
This is the terminal moraine of a glacier. For scale, the box shows the approximate size of a football field. Location is Hellas quadrangle
Radar studies indicate that this glacier contains mostly pure water ice. It is moving from the right. Location is Ismenius Lacus quadrangle.
Tongue-Shaped Glacier. Location is Hellas quadrangle.

Ground ice

The white area is water ice that has been exposed by an impact. Location is Cebrenia quadrangle.

Ancient lake

Ancient Lake fills Gale Crater on Mars (simulated view).
Ancient Lake on Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater – possible size (December 9, 2013).^[3]^[4]

References

↑ Jakosky, B.M. (1992) "The Seasonal Behavior of Water on Mars" in Kieffer, H.H. , ed. Mars, Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, pp. 969–1,016
↑ Ojha, L. (2015). "Spectral evidence for hydrated salts in recurring slope lineae on Mars". Nature Geoscience. DOI:10.1038/ngeo2546.
↑ Chang, Kenneth (December 9, 2013). "On Mars, an Ancient Lake and Perhaps Life". New York Times.
↑ Various (December 9, 2013). "Science – Special Collection – Curiosity Rover on Mars". Science.

[1] Jakosky, B.M. (1992) "The Seasonal Behavior of Water on Mars" in Kieffer, H.H. , ed. Mars, Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press, pp. 969–1,016

[2] Ojha, L. (2015). "Spectral evidence for hydrated salts in recurring slope lineae on Mars". Nature Geoscience. DOI:10.1038/ngeo2546.

[3] Chang, Kenneth (December 9, 2013). "On Mars, an Ancient Lake and Perhaps Life". New York Times.

[4] Various (December 9, 2013). "Science – Special Collection – Curiosity Rover on Mars". Science.

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