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Observations of the north polar region of Mars from the Mars orbiter laser altimeterElevations from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) have been used to construct a precise topographic map of the martian north polar region. The northern ice cap has a maximum elevation of 3 kilometers above its surroundings but lies within a 5-kilometer-deep hemispheric depression that is contiguous with the area into which most outflow channels emptied. Polar cap topography displays evidence of modification by ablation, flow, and wind and is consistent with a primarily H2O composition. Correlation of topography with images suggests that the cap was more spatially extensive in the past. The cap volume of 1.2 x 10(6) to 1.7 x 10(6) cubic kilometers is about half that of the Greenland ice cap. Clouds observed over the polar cap are likely composed of CO2 that condensed out of the atmosphere during northern hemisphere winter. Many clouds exhibit dynamical structure likely caused by the interaction of propagating wave fronts with surface topography.
Document ID
20040142140
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Zuber, M. T.
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA 02139, United States)
Smith, D. E.
Solomon, S. C.
Abshire, J. B.
Afzal, R. S.
Aharonson, O.
Fishbaugh, K.
Ford, P. G.
Frey, H. V.
Garvin, J. B.
Head, J. W.
Ivanov, A. B.
Johnson, C. L.
Muhleman, D. O.
Neumann, G. A.
Pettengill, G. H.
Phillips, R. J.
Sun, X.
Zwally, H. J.
Banerdt, W. B.
Duxbury, T. C.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
December 11, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 282
Issue: 5396
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Flight Experiment
long duration
unmanned
Mars Global Surveyor Project

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