North Polar Region of Mars: Imaging Results from Viking 2

During October 1976, the Viking 2 orbiter acquired approximately 700 high-resolution images of the north polar region of Mars. These images confirm the existence at the north pole of extensive layered deposits largely covered over with deposits of perennial ice. An unconformity within the layered de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScience (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 194; no. 4271; pp. 1329 - 1337
Main Authors Cutts, James A., Blasius, Karl R., Briggs, Geoffrey A., Carr, Michael H., Greeley, Ronald, Masursky, Harold
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 17.12.1976
Subjects
Climate change
Dunes
Frost
Geology
Ice
Impact craters
Italian ices
Mars
Polar regions
Terraces
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Summary:During October 1976, the Viking 2 orbiter acquired approximately 700 high-resolution images of the north polar region of Mars. These images confirm the existence at the north pole of extensive layered deposits largely covered over with deposits of perennial ice. An unconformity within the layered deposits suggests a complex history of climate change during their time of deposition. A pole-girdling accumulation of dunes composed of very dark materials is revealed for the first time by the Viking cameras. The entire region is devoid of fresh impact craters. Rapid rates of erosion or deposition are implied. A scenario for polar geological evolution, involving two types of climate change, is proposed.
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ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.194.4271.1329