Earth Mars ComparisonsEarth Mars Comparisons

Space QuestionsSpace Questions

Should space exploration be continued?

Should the government continue funding space exploration?

OverviewOverview

Scientists have found clues that indicate water may have existed Scientists have found clues that indicate water may have existed at one time on Mars. Past NASA missions have returned data that at one time on Mars. Past NASA missions have returned data that has helped scientists draw these conclusions. As photographs of has helped scientists draw these conclusions. As photographs of Mars were returned to Earth, scientists were able to compare Mars were returned to Earth, scientists were able to compare landforms and geographic features on Mars to features on Earth.landforms and geographic features on Mars to features on Earth.

A glacial lake system shaped the topography of western Montana, A glacial lake system shaped the topography of western Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. From this lake system a series of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. From this lake system a series of cataclysmic events sent torrents of tremendous amounts of water, cataclysmic events sent torrents of tremendous amounts of water, which created unique geological landscapes. This unique set of which created unique geological landscapes. This unique set of features may hold the key to understanding the surface of Mars.features may hold the key to understanding the surface of Mars.

With the ongoing study of the topography on both Mars and Earth, With the ongoing study of the topography on both Mars and Earth, scientists have a better understanding of what may be waiting on scientists have a better understanding of what may be waiting on the red planet. the red planet.

Glacial Lake Missoula Glacial Lake Missoula

There is much evidence to suggest that there There is much evidence to suggest that there was once a catastrophe referred to as the was once a catastrophe referred to as the Lake Missoula Floods. The geography that Lake Missoula Floods. The geography that was shaped by these floods has not changed was shaped by these floods has not changed much in the last 15,000 years. Scientists are much in the last 15,000 years. Scientists are now using these unique features to locate now using these unique features to locate evidence of water on Mars. evidence of water on Mars.

Information about Glacial Lake Information about Glacial Lake MissoulaMissoula

► Purcell Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet blocked the flow of the Clark Purcell Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet blocked the flow of the Clark Fork River near the present day site of Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho.Fork River near the present day site of Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho.

► Lake water came from the Clark Fork River, its tributaries, and glacial Lake water came from the Clark Fork River, its tributaries, and glacial runoff.runoff.

► The original ice dam was estimated to be 610 meters thick and The original ice dam was estimated to be 610 meters thick and approximately 30 to 40 kilometers wide.approximately 30 to 40 kilometers wide.

► Volume – 2220 kmVolume – 2220 km33 or 540 mi or 540 mi33 or as much water as Lakes Erie and or as much water as Lakes Erie and Ontario combinedOntario combined

► Depth – at the dam site it was estimated to be 600 meters or 1,968 Depth – at the dam site it was estimated to be 600 meters or 1,968 feet and at the present day location of Missoula it was estimated to feet and at the present day location of Missoula it was estimated to be 300 meters or 984 feetbe 300 meters or 984 feet

► Surface area – estimated to be 7,510 kmSurface area – estimated to be 7,510 km2 2 or 2,900 square miles. or 2,900 square miles.► When did this occur? – Approximately 17,000 to 11,000 years ago.When did this occur? – Approximately 17,000 to 11,000 years ago.► How long did the event last? – Approximately 2,500 years.How long did the event last? – Approximately 2,500 years.► Average intervals between filling of the lake was approximately 50 Average intervals between filling of the lake was approximately 50

years.years.► It is thought that the lake has refilled at least 36 times.It is thought that the lake has refilled at least 36 times.

The geological processes found onMars are similar to those found on Earth.

Many of these features were formed as a result of water.

Did water exist on Mars in the past?Is there evidence of water on Marsnow?

Why are scientists interested in Mars?

Common Features of Earth & Common Features of Earth & MarsMars

► ScablandsScablands► RipplesRipples► Polar Ice CapsPolar Ice Caps► CouleesCoulees►DeltasDeltas► BraidingBraiding

The existence of these geological processes on Mars indicates that water waspresent on the planet at some time.

Mars ripples

Ripples on Earth and Mars

Look at the similarities between these photographs?

Lake Missoula Ripples

Can you identify these geological features on Earth and Mars?

Boulder Fields near Missoula, Montana - the water spreads (fans) and slows and deposits the large boulders seen here.

Scablands

One of the largest water source regions on Mars

More geological features on Earth and Mars that resemble each other.

Coulees constitute the largest channels and are among the most spectacular erosional features in the scablands.

Grand Coulee, Montana

Echus Chasma - Mars

Mars

One of the most impressive geological features that resemble each other on Earth and Mars.

Scablands - Eastern Washington

Polar Ice Caps

Earth Mars

What similarities do you see between the two planets in these photographs?

Summary

Scientists are currently looking at pictures that might indicate water may have existed at one time on Mars. Remarkably, they are able to compare landforms and geographic features on Mars to features on Earth. With the ongoing study of the topography on both Mars and Earth, scientists are gaining a better understanding of what may be waiting on the red planet. The unique set of features found in western Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon may hold the key to understanding the surface of Mars. The topography of both planets are so similar that NASA and the Europeans have tentative plans for future missions. They hope to bring back Martian rock and eventually search with human hands and eyes.

Reading the rocks may provide extraordinary evidence of flowing water and the enthusiasm to place humans on the surface of Mars.

References

European Space Agencyhttp://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM4CATHKHF_0.htmlAccessed January 21, 2009.NASAhttp://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/specialEffects/spirit/Accessed June 20, 2008.

Pictures of Earthhttp://www.nineplanets.org/pxearth.htmlAccessed June 20, 2008.