A Solid Interpretation of Bright Radar Reflectors Under the Mars South Polar Ice

I. B. Smith, D. E. Lalich, C. Rezza, B. H.N. Horgan, J. L. Whitten, S. Nerozzi, J. W. Holt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

Bright radar reflections observed beneath the south polar layered deposits (SPLD) by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding instrument were interpreted to represent liquid water, but the required amounts of salt and heat to form and maintain liquids in this location are implausible given what is known about Mars. Here, we present another hypothesis that accounts for the bright reflections: hydrated and cold clay-rich deposits at the base of the SPLD create the observed radar response. To support this hypothesis, we present experimental measurements and wave propagation modeling that show that smectites, cooled to 230 K, have real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity large enough to cause the bright reflections, even when mixed with other materials. Further, we find that absorptions attributable to these minerals are present in south polar orbital visible-near infrared reflectance spectra. Because these minerals are present at the south pole and can cause the reflections, we believe this to be a more viable scenario than the liquid water interpretation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere2021GL093618
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume48
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 16 2021

Keywords

  • Mars
  • ice
  • liquid water
  • radar
  • smectites

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Solid Interpretation of Bright Radar Reflectors Under the Mars South Polar Ice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this