Mars' volatile and climate history

Nature. 2001 Jul 12;412(6843):237-44. doi: 10.1038/35084184.

Abstract

There is substantial evidence that the martian volatile inventory and climate have changed markedly throughout the planet's history. Clues come from areas as disparate as the history and properties of the deep interior, the composition of the crust and regolith, the morphology of the surface, composition of the present-day atmosphere, and the nature of the interactions between the upper atmosphere and the solar wind. We piece together the relevant observations into a coherent view of the evolution of the martian climate, focusing in particular on the observations that provide the strongest constraints.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Climate
  • Evolution, Planetary
  • Extraterrestrial Environment*
  • Mars*
  • Water

Substances

  • Water
  • Carbon Dioxide