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Formation and evolution of buried snowpack deposits in Pearse Valley, Antarctica, and implications for Mars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 February 2012

J.L. Heldmann ,
M. Marinova ,
K.E. Williams ,
D. Lacelle ,
C.P. Mckay ,
A. Davila ,
W. Pollard  and
D.T. Andersen
J.L. Heldmann*
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
M. Marinova
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, 560 Third St West, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA
K.E. Williams
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, 560 Third St West, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA
D. Lacelle
Affiliation:
Ottawa University, Department of Geography, 60 University St, Ottawa K1N 6N5, Canada
C.P. Mckay
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
A. Davila
Affiliation:
NASA Ames Research Center, Division of Space Sciences and Astrobiology, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA SETI Institute/Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, 189 Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041, USA
W. Pollard
Affiliation:
McGill University, Department of Geography, 845 Sherbrooke St West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T5, Canada
D.T. Andersen
Affiliation:
SETI Institute/Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, 189 Bernardo Ave, Mountain View, CA 94041, USA
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

Buried snowpack deposits are found within the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, which offers the opportunity to study these layered structures of sand and ice within a polar desert environment. Four discrete buried snowpacks are studied within Pearse Valley, Antarctica, through in situ observations, sample analyses, O-H isotope measurements and numerical modelling of snowpack stability and evolution. The buried snowpack deposits evolve throughout the year and undergo deposition, melt, refreeze, and sublimation. We demonstrate how the deposition and subsequent burial of snow can preserve the snowpacks in the Dry Valleys. The modelled lifetimes of the buried snowpacks are dependent upon subsurface stratigraphy but are typically less than one year if the lag thickness is less than c. 7 cm and snow thickness is less than c. 10 cm, indicating that some of the Antarctic buried snowpacks form annually. Buried snowpacks in the Antarctic polar desert may serve as analogues for similar deposits on Mars and may be applicable to observations of the north polar erg, buried ice at the Mars Phoenix landing site, and observations of buried ice throughout the martian Arctic. Numerical modelling suggests that seasonal snows and subsequent burial are not required to preserve the snow and ice on Mars.

Keywords

McMurdo Dry ValleysPolar Regionssnow ablation
Type
Physical Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , 24 May 2012 , pp. 299 - 316
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2012

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