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On the Stability of Liquid Water on Present Day MarsThe mean annual surface pressure and temperature on present day Mars do not allow for the long term stability of liquid water on the surface. However, theoretical arguments have been advanced that suggest liquid water could form in transient events even though it would not be in equilibrium with the environment. Using a Mars General Circulation Model, we calculate where and for how long the surface pressure and surface temperature meet the minimum requirements for this metastability of liquid water. These requirements are that the pressure and temperature must be above the triple point of water, but below its boiling point. We find that there are five regions on Mars where these requirements are periodically satisfied: in the near equatorial regions of Amazonis, Arabia, and Elysium, and in the Hellas and Argyre impact basins. Whether liquid water ever forms in these regions depends on the availability of ice and heat, and on the evaporation rate. The latter is poorly understood for low pressure CO2 environments, but is likely to be so high that melting occurs rarely, if at all. However, in the relatively recent past, surface pressures may have been higher than they are today perhaps by as much as a factor of 2 or 3. Under these circumstances melting would have been easier to achieve. We plan to undertake laboratory experiments to better understand the potential for melting in low pressure environments.
Document ID
20010084314
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Haberle, Robert M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald L.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 2, 2000
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Mars Global Surveyor Workshop
Location: Boulder, CO
Country: United States
Start Date: June 11, 2000
End Date: June 16, 2000
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 624-05-04
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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