Controls on the Global Distribution of Martian Landslides

Abstract Recent acquisition of high‐resolution satellite imagery the Martian surface has permitted landslides to be studied on a global scale Mars for first time. We apply Scoops3D software package compute slope stability select regions surface, combining calculations with number observed (Crosta, Frattini, et al., 2018; Crosta, De Blasio, 2018), as reported in recently published inventory landslides, understand controls distribution Mars. find that does not simply follow unstable slopes. In particular, there is an abundance around Tharsis, and especially Valles Marineris Noctis Labyrinthus, which explained by topography alone. analyzed but did clear large‐scale lithologic or stratigraphic control landslide occurrence from subsurface heterogeneities. Other possibilities explain increased Tharsis include (1) thin weak unit(s) regionally widespread at multiple levels, such interbedded ashes; (2) seismic activity related Tharsis's geological activity, (3) possible groundwater near into Amazonian. Given apparently young ages many deposits (Quantin 2004), continued modern day analysis lithologies observations seismicity may act strengthen rebut two hypotheses.