Mystery of Mars Gullies Solved

by Nola Taylor Redd, SPACE.com Contributor

Date: 07 December 2011 Time: 01:20 PM ET

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Gullies cut into the Russell Crater on Mars are revealed by the Mars Global Surveyor. New research reveals that sand propelled on a cushion of carbon dioxide gas could be responsible for slicing into the red planet's surface. CREDIT: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems View full size image

Gullies crisscrossing the Martian poles could be formed by carbon dioxide rather than by liquid water, a new study finds.
Using calculations taken from industrial applications on Earth, scientists determined that frozen carbon dioxide on Mars could move the sand or dust piled on top of it as it vaporizes.

MORE: http://www.space.com/13855-martian-polar-gullies-mystery-carbon-dioxide.html









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