Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Abacus · 03-13-2003, 12:02 PM

Here's a BBC article about possible water running down the slopes of Olympus Mons (the largest volcano in the solar system).

Water Flows on Mars

Has anybody else heard about this?

AtomSmasher · 03-13-2003, 02:06 PM

This is an interesting development, we've seen evidence of past water flows but this is the first I've seen of recent, or immediate activity. You may know that geological features such as Noctis Labyrinthius appear to be the result of massive floods, indicating vast underground aquifers, possibly under high pressure.

Now I'd like to know the composition of the water, and perhaps how much effort would be required to harvest and purify it enough for human consumption. Access to water would save us the expense of bringing it from Earth to support a manned Mars mssion

beausoleil · 03-13-2003, 04:23 PM

I think Noctis Labyrinthus is more usually seen as a system of faults. A lot of the canyons look like grabens, as do the broader features of the Valles Marineris.

You see more flood features, like the famous teardrop islands, at the other (East) end of the Valles Marineris system in the chaotic terrain.

MaximusDementis · 03-13-2003, 06:03 PM

Yes, I believe I saw something about Water flows on Mars on one of NASA's sites a while back. Seein new flows is pretty awesome and interesting stuff.

We need to forget about this Iraq crap, and spend the money on getting to Mars by 2010. With live humans, I mean of course.

03-13-2003, 12:02 PM	#1
Abacus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Dakota Posts: 2,214	Running water on Mars? Here's a BBC article about possible water running down the slopes of Olympus Mons (the largest volcano in the solar system). Water Flows on Mars Has anybody else heard about this?

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03-13-2003, 02:06 PM	#2
AtomSmasher Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S. Posts: 95	This is an interesting development, we've seen evidence of past water flows but this is the first I've seen of recent, or immediate activity. You may know that geological features such as Noctis Labyrinthius appear to be the result of massive floods, indicating vast underground aquifers, possibly under high pressure. Now I'd like to know the composition of the water, and perhaps how much effort would be required to harvest and purify it enough for human consumption. Access to water would save us the expense of bringing it from Earth to support a manned Mars mssion

03-13-2003, 04:23 PM	#3
beausoleil Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: US and UK Posts: 846	I think Noctis Labyrinthus is more usually seen as a system of faults. A lot of the canyons look like grabens, as do the broader features of the Valles Marineris. You see more flood features, like the famous teardrop islands, at the other (East) end of the Valles Marineris system in the chaotic terrain.

03-13-2003, 06:03 PM	#4
MaximusDementis Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Moscow, TN Posts: 57	Yes, I believe I saw something about Water flows on Mars on one of NASA's sites a while back. Seein new flows is pretty awesome and interesting stuff. We need to forget about this Iraq crap, and spend the money on getting to Mars by 2010. With live humans, I mean of course.

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