Terrestrial Glacial Processes: Analogs for Martian Polar Landform Development

Introduction: Since the Viking and Mariner 9 missions of nearly a quarter of a century ago provided global coverage of the Martian landscape at resolutions of 100-150m/pixel, a plethora of science related information pertaining to Mars and its landscape have become available to the scientific community. This information includes comprehensive global topography (MOLA), both low (Viking) and high-resolution imagery (MOC), and physical-chemical properties of the atmosphere and surface (TES). To complement this astounding ensemble of information, missions underway such as Mars Odyssey have shown compelling new evidence for significant quantities of hydrogen and ground ice within the surface of Mars, especially in the Polar Regions. In addition, future endeavors such as Mars Express (2003) and the Mars Exploration Rovers (2003) will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the history and surficial processes that have shaped the Martian landscape. Hence, it is vital for planetary researchers to understand the terrestrial geologic and geomorphic processes that may have determined the development of the surface in the modern and ancient cold regions of Mars. Interpretation of planetary surfaces must first begin with Earth analogs. A knowledge of the physical systems and surficial processes that develop erosional and depositional landforms is essential. In the case of modern and ancient glacial and periglacial regions of Mars, research conducted in Iceland, the ice-free regions of Antarctica and the High Arctic may provide the knowledge necessary to interpret landforms from remotely sensed imagery and other datasets of the Martian surface. It is interesting to conjecture that some processes and landforms on Mars may be distinctly and uniquely Martian. Nevertheless, the value of field research in deciphering Martian geologic processes and landform development is unquestionable and will be crucial to future research missions onto the Martian surface.