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.
HiRISE observations of new impact craters exposing Martian ground ice
Seasonally active frost-dust avalanches on a north polar scarp of Mars captured by HiRISE
CO2 jets formed by sublimation beneath translucent slab ice in Mars' seasonal south polar ice cap
Mars: Water, water everywhere
Exposed water ice discovered near the south pole of Mars
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.