Planetary Volatiles
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on planetary volatiles. Volatiles include substances that have a high vapor pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. We study the longevity, locations and other characteristics of volatiles. More specifically:
H2O ice, snow and frost are volatiles on the Earth. We study the persistence of perennial snowfields in Colorado and Mongolia.
Mars has snow, frost and ice of CO2 and H2O. We study Martian H2O and CO2 ice and frost, as well as polar regions in general.
Our moon has H2O ice in shadowed areas. We study lunar H2O ice.
Other moons such as Titan also have volatiles, which include liquid methane and ethane.
Locations and Properties of Ice-Exposing Scarps and New Impact Craters in the Mid-Latitudes of Mars
The formation mechanisms for mid-latitude ice scarps on Mars
Martian gully activity and the gully sediment transport system
Mass balance of two perennial snowfields: Niwot Ridge, Colorado and the Ulaan Taiga, Mongolia.
Past, present, and future of Mars Polar Science: Outcomes and outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Airborne dust plumes lofted by dislodged ice blocks at Russell crater, Mars
Widespread exposures of extensive clean shallow ice in the mid-latitudes of Mars
Conceptual model for the removal of cold-trapped H2O ice on the Mars northern seasonal springtime polar cap
The formation of gullies on Mars today
Exposed subsurface ice sheets in the Martian mid-latitudes
CO2 cycle
The effects of snow and salt on ice table stability in University Valley, Antarctica
Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms
The USGS Astrogeology Science Center conducts research on planetary volatiles. Volatiles include substances that have a high vapor pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere. We study the longevity, locations and other characteristics of volatiles. More specifically:
H2O ice, snow and frost are volatiles on the Earth. We study the persistence of perennial snowfields in Colorado and Mongolia.
Mars has snow, frost and ice of CO2 and H2O. We study Martian H2O and CO2 ice and frost, as well as polar regions in general.
Our moon has H2O ice in shadowed areas. We study lunar H2O ice.
Other moons such as Titan also have volatiles, which include liquid methane and ethane.