Space/Science — HabitableZone

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Re: I think...
Nick Hoffman — (archived)

Exactly,

It's dangerous to apply Earth-based concepts since the mode of delivery of the ice to the near-surface is crucial.

Frozen Ocean
Layered Snow and Dust
Frozen Rain
Slow build-up of frost from the thin atmosphere
Build-up from below as vapours trickle up from warmer areas

All these, and more, are possible, and have very different implications. The context of the ice - where it is exactly and how it relates to different rock units and surface layers - is vital in understanding how it got there.

However, it is reasinable to infer that if there is ice at the top of the regolith, then that ice extends to reasonable depth in the regolith (kms/miles?).

It will be interesting to see someone do the sums now on water/ice volumes on Mars and whether you can match the observed atmospheric depletion with a large inventory AND have the water substantially melted in the past. I think it will be difficult.

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