Mars presents a rich environment for studying ice and volatile processes, from seasonal CO₂ frost cycles to ancient water-carved terrain. Our research focuses on understanding the current and past distribution of water and ice on the Martian surface.

Mars polar cap Mars seasonal frost
(Left) The Martian north polar cap contains vast reservoirs of water ice. (Right) Seasonal CO₂ frost covers high-latitude terrain during winter.

Polar Ice Caps

The Martian polar regions contain vast reservoirs of water ice covered by seasonal CO₂ frost. We study the thermal properties and layering of these deposits to understand Mars’ climate history and the processes that shape the polar landscape today.

Seasonal Frost Cycles

Mars experiences dramatic seasonal changes as CO₂ condenses and sublimes at the polar caps and in shaded regions. Our thermal models help interpret these cycles and their effects on surface properties.

Water Transport and the Polar Vortex

The Martian polar vortices play a critical role in the transport of water into the polar regions. CO₂ snowfall can scavenge significant amounts of water from the atmosphere, depositing it onto the polar caps during winter.

Further information:

  • Alsaeed, N. R., Hayne, P. O., & Concepcion, V. (2024). Seasonal and inter-annual variability in the polar vortex and snowfall on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 129, e2024JE008397. Link
  • Alsaeed, N. R., & Hayne, P. O. (2022). Transport of water into the polar regions of Mars through scavenging by CO₂ snowfall. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127, e2022JE007386. Link
  • Piqueux, S., Kleinböhl, A., Hayne, P. O., Heavens, N. G., Kass, D. M., McCleese, D. J., Schofield, J. T., & Shirley, J. H. (2016). Discovery of a widespread low-latitude diurnal CO₂ frost cycle on Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 121, 1174–1189. Link
  • Hayne, P. O., Paige, D. A., & Heavens, N. G. (2014). The role of snowfall in forming the seasonal ice caps of Mars: Models and constraints from the Mars Climate Sounder. Icarus, 231, 122–130. Link
  • Hayne, P. O., Paige, D. A., Schofield, J. T., Kass, D. M., Kleinböhl, A., Heavens, N. G., & McCleese, D. J. (2012). Carbon dioxide snow clouds on Mars: South polar winter observations by the Mars Climate Sounder. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117, E08014. Link