The dynamical surface of Phobos: a morphodynamic atlas

Abstract

Phobos evolves in a highly dynamical environment where surface-material motion is controlled by the combined effects of self-gravity, time-dependent Martian tides, and inertial forces. In such a low-gravity regime, the displacement of loose material, cannot be inferred from topographic slope alone, making a dynamical approach essential for interpreting Phobos' surface morphology and for supporting the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission led by JAXA. Here, using our RAVEL code, we apply a dynamical model that combines the surface acceleration field with friction on a digital terrain model of Phobos to compute surface regolith trajectories. The model does not aim to predict the triggering of slope failure. Instead, it addresses where material would preferentially move once motion is initiated. This reveals large scale coherent dynamical regions and a sparse network of preferred regolith transport routes, termed here Regolith Migration Pathways (RMPs). The final positions of the RMPs correlate with smooth, low-relief terrains and spectrally neutral units, consistent with depositional mantles formed by long-term regolith infill, whereas rough, high-standing areas with abundant small craters and blue spectral slopes tend to correspond to dynamically active or denuded source regions. In contrast, spectrally red terrains are generally associated with dynamically quiet, morphologically rough surfaces where our model predicts negligible regolith motion, suggesting older, less frequently reworked units. Taken together, these patterns indicate that much of Phobos' surface morphology and spectral heterogeneity can be explained by long-term regolith redistribution driven by the surface acceleration field along RMPs. We provide a 3D morphodynamic atlas of RMPs across Phobos' surface, which will be useful for constraining the geographical provenance of samples to be collected by the MMX spacecraft.