Patterns of Glacial Deformation in a Lobate Debris Apron: Implications for Glacial Geology, Internal Structure, and Regional Climate History

A Grau Galofre (1) , J K Serla (2) , P Becerra , A Noblet (1, 3) , Susan J. Conway (1)

1 LPG - Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences [UMR_C 6112]
2 ASU - Arizona State University [Tempe]
3 UWO - University of Western Ontario

Viscous Flow Features (VFF) are widespread in the martian mid-latitudes and indicative of near-surface ice deposits. Their distribution and morphology hint at the regional history of ice deposition and ablation, as well as changes in surface temperature. Here we interrogate the deformation history of a type of VFF, a Lobate Debris Apron (LDA), located in the eastern Hellas region from its surface morphology, discussing the implications it poses for its internal structure and regional climate variability. Our observations integrate data from the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS), the SHAllow RADar (SHARAD), the Context Camera (CTX), the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Morphological observations, spectral analysis of characteristic wavelengths, and ice deformation stability analysis place constraints on the dynamics and deformation history of the deposit. We discuss contrasting hypotheses for the origin of the different surface structures, including the possibility of gelifluction in addition to glacial creep. Our results provide a guide to interpret glacial deformation patterns in martian VFFs in the light of internal structure, regional climate history, and underlying topography.

Mots clés: Planetology; CaSSIS; Mars; Ice

Domaines: Planétologie; Glaciologie

A Grau Galofre, J K Serla, P Becerra, A Noblet, Susan J. Conway. Patterns of Glacial Deformation in a Lobate Debris Apron: Implications for Glacial Geology, Internal Structure, and Regional Climate History. Planetary and Space Science, 2022, ⟨10.1016/j.pss.2022.105548⟩. ⟨hal-03851125v2⟩