The geomorphology of glacial landscapes on Mars
Lead Research Organisation:
The Open University
Department Name: Physical Sciences
Abstract
Specific objectives:
To document and map the landforms and landscapes in Promethei Terra and Deuteronilus Mensae and to assess the case for their formation by wet-based or cold-based glacial processes.
To assess whether the Hubbard et al. (2011) model for the formation and movement of glacier-like forms applies to other regions on Mars.
This project will examine glacial landscapes on Mars. It will focus on two study regions that reflect some of the most important discoveries of the last 10 years, namely: 1) observations of geologically recent glacial landforms in the mid- to low-latitudes that indicate significant deposition and mobility of ice or ice-rich material (Souness et al. 2012, Milliken et al. 2003); 2) Gamma ray and Neutron Spectrometer data showing high concentration of extant near-surface in certain mid- to low-latitude areas of Mars (Feldman et al. 2011). Taken together, these results suggest a dynamic recent climate, with the role of water in both the solid and liquid state being key.
The first area of study will be the mid-latitude region of Promethei Terra, which shows spectral evidence of anomalously high quantities of near-surface water-ice, and contains viscous flow features that closely resemble terrestrial rock-glaciers, as well as possible fluvioglacial landforms. The second area of study will be the mid to high latitude area of Deuteronilus Mensae, which, in contrast to Promethei Terra, is not associated with spectral evidence of water ice, but has abundant evidence of glacier like forms (Squyres 1979, Morgan et al. 2009). A key element of this project will be to investigate and map the meter/decametre scale geomorphology of these areas and to determine whether the spectral signature of high water-ice content has a morphological counterpart. A second aspect of this project could incorporate glacial flow modelling to constrain the duration of activity and amount of debris on these features, or remotely sensed Earth analogue work, depending on the strengths and preferences of the candidate.
Specific training will include the use of GIS in planetary data contexts, construction of digital terrain models from orbital and aerial images, planetary mapping techniques and general concepts in martian geomorphology/geology.
To document and map the landforms and landscapes in Promethei Terra and Deuteronilus Mensae and to assess the case for their formation by wet-based or cold-based glacial processes.
To assess whether the Hubbard et al. (2011) model for the formation and movement of glacier-like forms applies to other regions on Mars.
This project will examine glacial landscapes on Mars. It will focus on two study regions that reflect some of the most important discoveries of the last 10 years, namely: 1) observations of geologically recent glacial landforms in the mid- to low-latitudes that indicate significant deposition and mobility of ice or ice-rich material (Souness et al. 2012, Milliken et al. 2003); 2) Gamma ray and Neutron Spectrometer data showing high concentration of extant near-surface in certain mid- to low-latitude areas of Mars (Feldman et al. 2011). Taken together, these results suggest a dynamic recent climate, with the role of water in both the solid and liquid state being key.
The first area of study will be the mid-latitude region of Promethei Terra, which shows spectral evidence of anomalously high quantities of near-surface water-ice, and contains viscous flow features that closely resemble terrestrial rock-glaciers, as well as possible fluvioglacial landforms. The second area of study will be the mid to high latitude area of Deuteronilus Mensae, which, in contrast to Promethei Terra, is not associated with spectral evidence of water ice, but has abundant evidence of glacier like forms (Squyres 1979, Morgan et al. 2009). A key element of this project will be to investigate and map the meter/decametre scale geomorphology of these areas and to determine whether the spectral signature of high water-ice content has a morphological counterpart. A second aspect of this project could incorporate glacial flow modelling to constrain the duration of activity and amount of debris on these features, or remotely sensed Earth analogue work, depending on the strengths and preferences of the candidate.
Specific training will include the use of GIS in planetary data contexts, construction of digital terrain models from orbital and aerial images, planetary mapping techniques and general concepts in martian geomorphology/geology.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/N50421X/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2021 | |||
| 1653320 | Studentship | ST/N50421X/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/12/2018 | Frances Butcher |
| Description | My PhD research has focussed on the meltwater histories of geologically young (hundreds to tens of millions of years old), debris-covered, water-ice glaciers that exist in Mars' mid-latitudes in the present day. Mars' climate is extremely cold and dry, and it was commonly assumed that existing glaciers on Mars have always been cold-based, i.e., that they have never produced meltwater at their beds. I discovered one of two known eskers associated with mid-latitude glaciers on Mars, in the NW Tempe Terra region of Mars' northern mid-latitudes. Eskers are ridges of sediment deposited by meltwater flowing through tunnels within or beneath glacial ice. These eskers provide the first indicative evidence that existing mid-latitude glaciers produced meltwater at their beds in at least two locations on Mars (albeit in extremely rare, transient events) ~110-150 million years ago, despite extremely cold and hyperarid recent climate conditions. I found that above average geothermal heat flux (heat from within the planet), possibly with an additional component of heating by deformation of flowing ice, was required to induce rare, localised ocurrences of basal melting under cold recent climate conditions. Thus, the glacier-linked eskers not only challenge the model that existing glaciers on Mars have always been ubiquitously cold-based, but also significantly extend (by hundreds of millions of years) the periods for which geothermal activity (e.g., due to magmatism and/or hydrothermal circulation) has been inferred for their host regions. In addition, I found that the 3D geometry of the newly-identified glacier-linked esker probably records complex variations in the supply of meltwater and sediment to the esker-forming glacial drainage system. Such insights will be essential for informing future computer simulations to reconstruct the environmental and glaciological requirements for production of esker-forming meltwater. I also began the search for glacier-linked eskers elsewhere on Mars, beyond the two known examples. I identified Chukhung crater in central Tempe Terra as a site of interest for future studies. I found that esker-like glacier-linked ridges in this location have ambiguous origins; they could either be eskers, or could have been formed by subaerial (i.e., non-glacial) flows of liquid water from precipitation or snowmelt. Both subglacial and subaerial sources for the ridge-forming liquid water required environmental conditions (at least locally) that were atypical of the extremely cold and dry climate conditions that are thought to have prevailed on Mars for the last 3 billion years. |
| Exploitation Route | If eskers are indeed indicative of above-average geothermal heat flux, they could serve as important proxies for spatiotemporal variations in geothermal heat flux across Mars' surface. The InSight lander, which landed on Mars in November 2018, is anticipated to take the first direct measurement of Mars' geothermal heat flux, but only for a single location and at a single point in geological time (the present day). Thus, geomorphic indicators of variations in geothermal heat flux (both in space and in time) that are observable from orbit (including eskers) will continue to provide essential contextualisation for the point measurement of geothermal heat flux to be provided by the InSight lander. I have also produced a database comprising systematic high-resolution (metre-scale) 3D measurements of the glacier-linked eskers, and identified possible relationships that could be used to test the hypothesis that landforms elsewhere on Mars, such as the glacier-linked ridges of ambiguous origin in Chukhung crater, are eskers. Finally, my reconstruction of the spatiotemporal variations in the dynamics of meltwater and sediment supply during the esker-forming meltwater drainage event(s) in NW Tempe Terra will provide essential constraints for future computer simulations aiming to reconstruct the environmental and glaciological requirements for esker-forming basal melting of glaciers on Mars. |
| Sectors | Education,Environment |
| Description | Research featured in article in The Guardian Weekend Supplement on Women in STEM. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | British Society for Geomorphology, Postgraduate Conference Attendance Grant, Autumn 2015 Round |
| Amount | £850 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Geomorphology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | British Society for Geomorphology, Postgraduate Conference Attendance Grant, Autumn 2017 Round |
| Amount | £300 (GBP) |
| Organisation | British Society for Geomorphology |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Description | European Student Travel Grant: 6th International Mars Polar Conference. |
| Amount | € 666 (EUR) |
| Organisation | International Association of Cryospheric Sciences |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | Germany |
| Start | 09/2016 |
| End | 09/2016 |
| Description | GeoPlaNet Grant |
| Amount | € 1,200 (EUR) |
| Organisation | University of Nantes |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | France |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 05/2019 |
| Description | Lunar and Planetary Institute Career Development Award |
| Amount | $1,500 (USD) |
| Organisation | Lunar and Planetary Institute |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 03/2019 |
| Description | Ogden Trust Trustees Award |
| Amount | £900 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Ogden Trust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2016 |
| End | 03/2016 |
| Description | Pierazzo International Student Travel Award |
| Amount | $2,000 (USD) |
| Organisation | Planetary Science Institute - Arizona |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 03/2017 |
| Description | Royal Astronomical Society Grant (Conference Travel) |
| Amount | £900 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Royal Astronomical Society |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2018 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Title | Geomorphic map of Chukhung crater, central Tempe Terra, Mars (Shapefiles) |
| Description | RAW MAP SHAPEFILES: GEOMORPHIC MAP OF CHUKHUNG CRATER, TEMPE TERRA, MARS.Files are raw shapefiles for the geomorphic map of Chukhung crater published in:Butcher, F. E. G., Balme, M. R., Conway, S. J., Gallagher, C., Arnold, N. S., Storrar, R. D., Lewis, S. R., Hagerman, A., and Davis, J. M., 2021, Sinuous ridges in Chukhung crater, Tempe Terra, Mars: Implications for fluvial, glacial, and glaciofluvial activity, Icarus, vol. 357, 114131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114131------------------------Files were generated using ESRI ArcGIS 10.7Contact the lead author for assistance using these files.------------------------FILES AND DESCRIPTIONS:ChukhungCrater_Units_Pgn.shp- Contains mapped polygons. - The UnitAbbrev field in the attribute table (.dbf file) contains unit abbreviations as defined in the published paper.ChukhungCrater_Units_Pgn.lyr- Contains the layer symbolisation information for ChukhungCrater_Units_Pgn.shp. - Polygons are symbolised using the UnitAbbrev field.ChukhungCrater_Structure.shp- Contains structure digitised as polylines. - The Structure field in the attribute table (.dbf file) contains Structure type (Crater wall valley or Small impact crater rim).ChukhungCrater_Structure.lyr- Contains the layer symbolisation information for ChukhungCrater_Structure.shp. - Polygons are symbolised using the Structure field. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Only recently published - no notable impacts yet. |
| URL | https://figshare.shef.ac.uk/articles/dataset/Geomorphic_map_of_Chukhung_crater_central_Tempe_Terra_M... |
| Description | Fieldwork Diaries Podcast Episode |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Podcast episode on the general science of my field, and some specifics about this project. Gained lots of attention on social media (e.g. twitter). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.fieldworkdiaries.com/episode-5/ |
| Description | First Mars Glacier Discussion Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organised a meeting attended by 30 delegates, comprising research talks and lab tours. Discussion of Mars glacier/gully science and Earth analogues. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Interviewed for The Guardian Weekend Supplement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for a two page article about my research and women in STEM. Originally published on 6/10/18, re-run on 24/11/18. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited Keynote: Ogden Trust SE Schools Physicist of the Year Award Ceremony |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Gave invited keynote lecture on my research at award ceremony for Ogden Trust SE Schools Physicist of the Year 2017. Received lots of questions from students and parents afterwards on pathways to STEM careers and university applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Lecture, Denbigh School STEM Lecture Series, Milton Keynes, UK. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk entitled 'Space glaciers! Water ice on Mars and Beyond' for students (year 8 upwards), teachers and general public. Talk was attended by ~75 people, and feedback forms indicated increased awareness of career pathways to planetary science, increased interest in STEM careers by students, increased awareness of Open University research, and increased awareness of the importance of geology and geography in planetary science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Lecture: Macclesfield Astronomical Society, Macclesfield, UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lecture on my research entitled: 'Frozen in Time: Unlocking the Mysteries of Glaciers on Mars'. Society reported extremely positive feedback and uptake of new members attending a society event for the first time for my lecture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Lecture: Open University Geological Society East Midlands Branch, Ice Worlds Day at the British Geological Survey, Keyworth, UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Lecture to an audience primarily comprising Open University undergraduate students. Two audience members travelled from outside the UK, specifically to see my talk. Lots of questions and discussion was prompted, as well as invites to speak at future student events. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Seminar - Aberystwyth University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited academic seminar disseminating results of the award. Attended by staff and research students at the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Seminar - International Glaciological Society Global Seminar Series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Virtual Seminar (due to Covid-19 lockdown) disseminating the results of the award. Seminar available to general public on YouTube. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP88NvgTdfs |
| Description | Invited Seminar - Sheffield Hallam University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited academic seminar. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Seminar - University College London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited academic seminar disseminating the results of the award. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Invited Seminar - University of Leeds |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited Academic Seminar, leading to new collaboration with researchers at Leeds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Seminar, Hutton Club, University of Edinburgh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Invited academic seminar |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited Speaker, Astrobiology Society of Britain & Science and Technology Facilities Council, Astrobiology Summer School, UK Centre for Astrobiology, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Talk on Mars glacier science and the ExoMars rover mission. Attended by PhD students from multiple institutions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited virtual seminar - SedsOnline |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited online seminar (due to Covid-19 lockdown). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://sedsonline.com/scientific-webinars/ |
| Description | Live Radio interview, BBC Radio Foyle |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Provided expert comment on the discovery of a possible subglacial lake on Mars (Orosei et al., 2018, Science) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Live Radio interview, BBC Three Counties |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Provided expert comment on the discovery of a possible subglacial lake on Mars (Orosei et al., 2018, Science) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Live Radio interview, Vectis Radio (Isle of Wight) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Provided expert comment on the discovery of a possible subglacial lake on Mars (Orosei et al., 2018, Science) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Open University Astronomical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk on the status of my research to OU Astronomical Society. Sparked lots of discussion and questions from audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Open University Space Science Showcase, Our Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Hands-on activities, demonstrations and pop-up talks on my research. Sparked lots of questions, particularly from younger attendees. Received feedback from young female attendees who learned from the event that women can be scientists. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/latest/blog/posts/2016/august/space-science-showcase-spectacular |
| Description | Press release on Journal Publicatoin |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | University Website Article received widespread attention on social media, resulting in an Altmetric attention score within the top 5% of all research outputs scored by Altmetric (correct on 11/01/2018). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.ounews.co/science-mct/space/scientists-discover-evidence-recent-water-flows-mars/ |
| Description | WeMartians Podcast Ep. 23: Esker Questions |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The podcast received a lot of attention on social media. I was contacted by school teachers wishing to use it as a teaching resource. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |