Terrestrial Analog Studies for Martian Patterned Ground

Abstract

A recurring problem in understanding Martian patterned ground is explaining its large size. Terrestrial patterned ground in Swedish Lapland offers an analog that may help explain this. In cold, arid regions with strong winds, polygonal features are accentuated paralled to the dominant wind direction. Preliminary results of a comparison between Martian polygonal troughs and dominant wind directions suggests a good correlation. This evolutionary model involving aeolian modification of Martian polygonal ground helps explain the large size features without requiring multiple, deep freeze-thaw cycles. A well-established geographical technique, nearest neighbor analysis, can be modified and applied to the distribution of patterned ground on Earth and Mars. The procedure determines the R-statistic, which reflects the degree to which on observation departs from an expected random pattern. The R-statistic is independent of scale, and therefore it can be applied to any size of type of pattern. Preliminary results indicate that there may be a correlation between the R-statistic and the process that create the polygons.