Geologic context of the bright MARSIS reflectors in Ultimi Scopuli, South Polar Layered Deposits, Mars

Abstract

Radar-bright basal reflectors have been detected below the South Polar Layered Deposits (SPLD), Mars using Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionosphere Sounding (MARSIS) data and have an exciting but controversial interpretation: liquid water from subglacial lakes. We mapped the surface of the SPLD immediately above and surrounding the putative lakes (1:2M map scale) in order to provide geologic context for interpretation of the bright basal reflectors. We use THEMIS daytime IR (100 m/pixel), CTX (6 m/pixel), and HiRISE (25 cm/pixel) data to characterize geologic units and typical surface roughness. We find evidence for multiple geologic units with features due to CO2 and aeolian-related processes. We do not find evidence for surface modification linked to the postulated lake locations. This is not consistent with the interpretation of the MARSIS basal radar reflector as subglacial lakes.