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

在火星上的碎片停机坪中发现了大量近地表的冰沉积。我们建议使用一个数值模型来研究这些沉积物随时间流动和/或升华的速率，用于不同的火星气候演化模型。通过这种方式，可以限制这些沉积物的年龄和演化，并将有助于了解火星水和气候的近代历史。了解火星气候的近期演化对于了解其更长期的演化以及火星潜在的宜居性都是重要的。这个项目的更广泛的影响是，它将使研究生接触到一个新的教育环境(日本)，并将促进未来的国际合作。

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.