RECENT WATER RELEASE IN THE THARSIS REGION OF MARS

Numerous channels have been identified in northwestern Tharsis, Mars, at the base of the Olympus Mons escarpment and to the west of Ceraunius Fossae. These channels are anastomosing in form, and have associated streamlined islands, indicating they were most likely formed by flowing water. The preferred model for channel formation involves either the tectonic release of water from a deep groundwater system or, less likely, the intrusive heating of deep-seated ice lenses. Because the channels are carved in some of the youngest lava flows on Mars, it is believed that water or ice existed at certain places at equatorial latitudes until the recent < byr B.P. past. © 1990.