A recent study conducted by a team of scientists at NASA has shed light on the intriguing 'spider' formations found on Mars. These unique features, known as araneiform terrain, were first discovered in 2003 and can extend over half a mile in length, often appearing in clusters across the Martian surface.
The study, detailed in a new paper published in The Planetary Science Journal, reveals that these formations are likely carved by processes involving carbon dioxide ice. Through laboratory experiments simulating Martian temperatures and air pressure, researchers were able to recreate the conditions that give rise to these spider-like patterns.
One of the leading theories behind the formation of these features is the Kieffer model, which explains how sunlight interacts with carbon dioxide ice on the Martian surface. During the Winter season, sunlight penetrates transparent slabs of carbon dioxide ice, heating the underlying soil. This causes the ice to sublimate directly into gas, leading to the formation of plumes that crack the ice and release dark dust and sand from the soil onto the surface.
As Winter transitions to Spring and the remaining ice sublimates, the distinctive spider-like scars are left behind as remnants of these small eruptions. The study further aims to explore the conditions under which these plumes form by experimenting with simulated sunlight from above, offering insights into the range of factors influencing the creation of these enigmatic formations on Mars.
The findings from this research not only enhance our understanding of the geological processes at play on Mars but also provide valuable insights for refining models that explain the formation of araneiform terrain. By unraveling the mystery of Mars' 'spider' formations, scientists are one step closer to deciphering the complex dynamics shaping the Red Planet's surface.
