Mars just continues to deliver.
After finding out earlier this week that Mars has water on its surface (albeit in a limited amount in an undrinkable form), the high-resolution camera HiRise, which is located onboard the orbiting Mars Reconnoissance spacecraft, spotted an avalanche of what appears to be frozen carbon gas reports gizmodo.com.
The picture above shows the white cloud, which is the heart of the avalanche.
The frozen carbon dioxide gas is the rough equivalent of dry ice and the avalanche seems to have been caused by thermal expansion due to rising temperatures on the planet’s north pole. The thermal expansion subsequently causes the carbon dioxide frost to fracture, resulting in avalanches.
Also Read: IOC Eyes Mars as Possible Venue for 2102 Winter Olympics
Although the dry ice does not contain the same water that would make up a snow slab avalanche like the ones we are familiar with, the dynamics are much the same.
According to reports, the avalanche measured at 65ft. across and occupied an area that is approximately the size of half of a regulation football field!
