Nov. 7, 2008 -- Billowing down the cliffs of the red planet, scientists have spotted a strangely Earth-like phenomenon -- snowy avalanches near Mars' north pole. Led by Patrick Russell of the University of Berne in Switzerland, a team of researchers first noticed the avalanches in February while combing through images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's high resolution camera, HiRISE. "We were looking at frosted sand dunes, and caught the avalanches in action," Russell said of the images, which show large clouds of dust and snow near the base of a 500 meter-high cliff. During the Martian winter, carbon dioxide frost and snow builds up in the north. Related Content: Discovery Space: Top 10 Martian Destinations Irene Klotz's Blog: Free Space Ice Geysers Spew on Mars On the polar ice cap, snows can reach one to two meters (three to six feet) thick, and on the cliffs that border the cap they may be 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) deep. When the sun rises again on the cliffs in Mars' spring, the carbon dioxide turns from solid straight into a gas. On the steep cliff slope the bubbling gas could be enough to trigger an avalanche 100 meters (328 feet) wide, and roaring down at up to 50 miles per hour. "If you were standing near the base of the slope, these things would be pretty impressive," Russell said. The team's findings are due to be published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. After spotting the first slide, the HiRISE camera took two more images and saw a total of nine avalanches tumbling off the polar cliffs. More NewsMouse Cloned From Long-Frozen CellResearchers create a mouse from a long-frozen cell. Will the mammoth be next?'Bubble' Could Protect AstronautsScientists say a "bubble" around a Mars-bound spaceship could protect astronauts.Big Reduction of Snowmobiles in Yellowstone ProposedA new plan would cut snowmobile use by 40 percent in Yellowstone.Microbes: Fuel of the Future?A reddish South American microbe is literally breathing fuel, say scientists.DNA Links Remains to Steve FossetDNA tests on two bones found in California confirm they are those of Steve Fossett.Women Carry More Bacteria Than MenSome bacteria prefer women, suggests a new study. But why?Ancient 'Water Monster' Facing ExtinctionA foot-long salamander that was a key part of Aztec legend is threatened by extinction.Grand Canyon's Youth ConfirmedThe Grand Canyon is millions of years younger than previously thought, argue geologists.My Take: E-Voting Not User FriendlyOpinion: Electronic voting machines don't always capture the intent of voters.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.At 40, Brain and Body SlowThe part of the brain in charge of motion starts a gradual slide in middle age.Spiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates. |
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