The surface of Mars may be covered by giant glaciers.

Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have published an interesting article in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. The main message of the article is that the surface of the Red Planet can be covered with giant glaciers, which are covered with a layer of dust and therefore inaccessible for observation. Nevertheless, the scientists, according to them, were able to see the outlines of the glaciers on the images that various satellites that are currently in Mars orbit passed to Earth.

Previously, scientists have found areas with high albedo on the surface of Mars, and at one time it was thought to be frozen carbon dioxide. But it turned out that it was still water, the confirmation was obtained thanks to the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter .


Ice cap thickness, according to MRO
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Scientists conducted long-term observations of the surface of Mars, fixing all the formations that are similar in some characteristics to the glaciers of the Earth. According to experts, the majority of glaciers on Mars are located in middle latitudes (about 30-50 degrees), in both hemispheres of the planet. The researchers calculated the approximate amount of ice: in their opinion, there are about 150 billion cubic meters of ice on Mars. Ice seems to protect dust from evaporation.


Photos taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera show that the glaciers are covered with a thin layer of dust (ESA / DLR / FU)

If this is true, and there is a huge amount of ice on the surface of Mars, this can serve as an excellent help for future colonies, settlements of earthlings on the Red Planet.