Avalanche on -How Cool is That!

Cameras orbiting have taken thousands of images that have enabled NASA scientists to put together pieces of Mars’ geologic history. However, most of them reveal landscapes that haven’t changed much in millions of years. Some images taken at different times of year do show seasonal changes from one image to the next; however, it is extremely rare to catch such a dramatic event as an avalanche in action on north pole.

The scarp in this image is on the edge of the dome of layered deposits centered on Mars’ north pole. From top to bottom this impressive cliff is over 700 m (2300 ft) tall and reaches slopes over 60 degrees. The top part of the scarp, to the left of the images, is still covered with bright (white) carbon dioxide frost which is disappearing from the polar regions as spring progresses.

The upper, steepest section, which appears highly fractured due to blocks pulling away from the wall, is the likely source zone for the falls. The precise trigger mechanism is not yet known, although the disappearance of the carbon dioxide frost, the expansion and contraction of the ice in response to temperature differences, a nearby Mars-quake or meteorite impact, and vibrations caused by the first fall in the area, are all possible contributors.

Posted by Casey Kazan from a NASA release.

Related posts:

Mars: What Lies Beneath?
Is there an Interplanetary Mars-Earth Microbe Shuttle?
"The Overview Effect": Is Space Travel Next Step in Human Evolution?
New Phoenix Mission Technology to Search for Life

 

Comments

[Giles Smith]

I only came across the HiRISE website yesterday and was absolutely blown aways with some of the recent images that have come back!
Being able to compare activity on our planet to another to such detail will enable us to learn so much more about not only Mars but our own planet too

[Barrie O'Leary]

I feel certain tis exceptional picture's four plumes are the result of four simultaneous meteorite impacts which struck just in time for the Orbiter to catch. I hope there are before and after pictures for this region to see if there is proof for this supposition.
It is incredible to see just how many impact craters can be easily detemined in the Martian aerial shots. They are so numerous I would not be at all surpried to find that impacts have just occurred here.

Also, what were previously called dust clouds rising from twirling winds could also be smaller meteorite craters as well with dust plumes similarly raised.

[knoxvilledaniel]

Haven't they also done a time - lapse movie of a windstorm / cyclone on Mars ? They could put a series of atmospheric & geological phenomena on Mars, since we have some dynamic, " 3 - D " maps of Mars already. Such phenomena could be put on a DVD or CD - Rom.

Don't they keep a database of such things on - line ? Surely NASA / JPL has one.