Many mesas, hills, or mounds in the mid-latitudes of Mars show features extending from their walls that are called lobate debris aprons (LDAs). These LDA have been interpreted as debris-covered glaciers and have been shown by radar data to have nearly pure ice content beneath the meters-thick debris layer.

In some regions that may be closer to the equator, and thus warmer, such as this mound here in the Phlegra Dorsa region, most of the ice content has sublimed away, leaving behind a thin layer of debris that still maintains the lobate form and extent of the former (or relict) LDA.

ID: ESP_079302_2100
date: 27 June 2023
altitude: 292 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_079302_2100
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #science #NASA