Water on Mars – including the longest river in the solar system

Water on Mars – including the longest river in the solar system. Lecture given by Professor Jeff Peakall, University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment.

Abstract

We will look at the history of water on Mars which is strongly linked to the main geological periods, covering periods when channel networks flourished and flowed into deltas and oceans, and others when giant outflow channels bigger and deeper than the Grand Canyon formed. We will then look at what evidence there is for water on Mars today. Some of the Martian channels are exquisitely preserved and we shall focus on the poster children for rivers on Mars, the channels in Aeolis Dorsa. Yet despite being sold as the archetypal examples of rivers these channels can lay claim to be the strangest rivers in the solar system. As part of our exploration, we shall also take a look at potential Earth based analogues such as giant submarine channels on ocean floors, and inverted channels.

Tea and Coffee will be provided after the talk.

Please note the new venue – details are provided below.