Evidence for present day gully activity on the Russell crater dune field, Mars

[1] On the basis of High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of two successive years we observed changes of a gully on the Russell crater dune field. Within the first year the length of a ∼2 m wide incised gully channel grew about 50 m downslope, and ∼120 m within in the second year. Gully activity occurred in early spring between LS ∼198° and ∼218° in the first year and between LS ∼192° and ∼221° in the second year. Based on the channel morphology, spectral data and modeled surface temperatures, the changes can be best explained with transient melting of small amounts of H2O-ice triggering slurry flows consisting of sand mixed with liquid water.

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