Currently Forming Martian Slope Streaks

Schorghofer, N California Institute of Technology, MC 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125 United States; Aharonson, O. California Institute of Technology, MC 150-21, Pasadena, CA 91125 United States

ABSTRACT:

Explaining the formation of slope streaks is an attractive goal because this feature is one of very few examples on Mars that presently exhibit dynamical changes. Among all high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera images released to date, there are about 90 sites that contain slope streaks and have been imaged more than once. They reveal, in total, about 40 newly formed streaks. Such overlap images can be used to determine the rate and timing of creation of new streaks. The data suggest that the streak population is in a statistical steady state with the martian environment, further constraining the fading rates. Streak formation times can be compared with changes in surface temperature and hydrogen distribution.

AGU 2002 Fall Meeting