U.S.-Japan Doctoral Dissertation Research: Constraining the Formation of Lobate Debris Aprons on Mars via Numerical Modeling of Glacial Ice

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Massive near-surface deposits of ice have been detected within debris aprons on Mars. We propose to use a numerical model to investigate the rate at which these deposits will flow and/or sublime over time, for different models of Martian climate evolution. In this way the age and evolution of these deposits can be constrained, and will throw light on the recent history of Martian water and climate.Constraining the recent evolution of the Martian climate is important for understanding both its longer-term evolution, and also the potential habitability of Mars. The broader impact of this project is that it will expose a graduate student to a new educational environment (Japan), and will foster future international collaborations.