An experimental study on cyclic steps aiming for elucidation of the Mars' climate history

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"Spiral troughs" (cyclic step topography) observed at the upper part of Mars' north polar ice cap is considered to be closely related to the formation history of the npc and thus the climate history of Mars. In order to explore the formation mechanism of this step topography, we operated analog experiments using ice. We also did the other experiment of cyclic steps by the gravity flows analogue to the sediment waves in the deep sea environments whose internal structures are resemble to those of spiral troughs on Mars. A theoretical model of interfacial wave formation between the fluid and ice is also created. In the analog experiments, we have succeeded in forming a interfacial waves that develop at the interface between the fluid and the ice by the flow in upper flow-regime. Behavior of these steps was consistent with that predicted by the theoretical model.