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Time-dependent Calculations of an Impact-triggered Runaway Greenhouse Atmosphere on MarsLarge asteroid and comet impacts result in the production of thick (greater than tens of meters) global debris layers of 1500+ K and the release through precipitation of impact-injected steam and melting ground ice) of large amounts (greater than tens of meters global equivalent thickness) of water on the surface of Mars. Modeling shows that the surface of Mars is still above the freezing point of water after the rainout of the impact-injected steam and melting of subsurface ice. The energy remaining in the hot debris layer will allow evaporation of this water back into the atmosphere where it may rain out at a later time. Given a sufficiently rapid supply of this water to the atmosphere it will initiate a temporary "runaway" greenhouse state.
Document ID
20030066707
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
T L Segura
(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
O B Toon
(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
A Colaprete
(Ames Research Center Mountain View, California, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
July 25, 2003
Publication Information
Publication: Sixth International Conference on Mars
Publisher: LPI
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Report/Patent Number
3247
Meeting Information
Meeting: Sixth International Conference on Mars
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: US
Start Date: July 20, 2003
End Date: July 25, 2003
Sponsors: Lunar and Planetary Institute
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC5-679
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
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