Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars

Baker, V. R.; Strom, R. G.; Gulick, V. C.; Kargel, J. S.; Komatsu, G.; Kale, V. S.

doi:10.1038/352589a0

Cited by 715Planetary Science and ExplorationAstro and Planetary ScienceGeological formations and processes

Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars

Baker, V. R., Strom, R. G., Gulick, V. C., Kargel, J. S., Komatsu, G., Kale, V. S.·1991·Nature

DOI 10.1038/352589a0

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Geomorphic evidence for large terminal lakes includes mottled plains, shorelines, terraced slopes, and layered sediments.
“Geomorphic evidence for the latter includes mottled plains, shorelines, terraced slopes, and layered sediments”
From A chemical model for evaporites on early Mars: Possible sedimentary tracers of the early climate and implications for exploration (1999) · cites this paper as Baker et al., 1991
The evidence for punctuated, impact-driven interaction between rocks and fluids supports scenarios such as those of Segura et al. (2002), where large impacts created temporary hydrous environments, as opposed to those including large-scale, long-term hydrologic systems including oceans.
“The evidence for punctuated, impact-driven interaction between rocks and fluids supports scenarios such as those of Segura et al. (2002), where large impacts created temporary hydrous environments, as opposed to those including largescale, long-term hydrologic systems including oceans (Baker et al. 1991; Clifford and Parker 2001).”
From Multi-generational carbonate assemblages in martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001: Implications for nucleation, growth, and alteration (2004) · cites this paper as Baker et al. 1991

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“The youngest valleys probably originated from hydrothermal circulation on volcanoes or from catastrophic floods or bolide impacts that could force climate change locally ( Baker et al. [1991] and Segura et al. [2002], respectively).”
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“and/or water, indicating that the northern plains may at one time have hosted an ocean of liquid water (Baker et al., 1991; Head et al., 1999; Di Achille and Hynek, 2010; Citron et al., 2018).”
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“Subsequent hydrologic activity resulted in a transferal of weathered products from the cratered highlands to the lowlands, including via Tharsis- (and to a lesser extent Elysium-) induced flooding and deep dissection of the Martian crust to form outflow channels [e.g., Baker et al., 1991; Dohm et al., 2001a, 2001b; Fa…”
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“The geological evidence for this takes the form of the polar layered terrains, outflow channels, suspected glacial features, and putative oceanic shore lines [Baker et al., 1991; Kieffer and Zent, 1992].”
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“mation on the past climate and the potential ocean of the northern hemisphere [Parker et al., 1993; Baker et al., 1991; Baker, 2001; Murray et al., 2005].”
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Origin of the valley networks on Mars: a hydrological perspective
Gulick, V. C. (2001) · Geomorphology · doi:10.1016/s0169-555x(00)00086-6 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Self-citation
White Mars: A New Model for Mars' Surface and Atmosphere Based on CO2
Hoffman, N. (2000) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2000.6398 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
“The polar caps of Mars appear to be composed largely of water ice (Smith et al. 1999), but are too small by over an order of magnitude to account for the volume of water required to explain possible shorelines of a Boreal ocean ( Baker et al. 1991, Parker et al. 1989).”
Background
Episodic flood inundations of the northern plains of Mars
Fairén, A. G., Dohm, J. M., Baker, V. R., Hernández, M. Á. D. P., Ruíz, J., Ferris, J. C., & Anderson, R. C. (2003) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/s0019-1035(03)00144-1 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
“Moreover, valley network formation is observed also during the Amazonian Period, although in a reduced degree (Baker et al., 1991; Scott et al., 1995); in fact, 10% (Carr, 1995) to 40% (Scott and Dohm, 1992) of valley networks may be younger than Noachian.”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citation
Northern mid-latitude glaciation in the Late Amazonian period of Mars: Criteria for the recognition of debris-covered glacier and valley glacier landsystem deposits
Head, J. W., III, Marchant, D. R., Dickson, J. L., Kress, A. M., & Baker, D. M. H. (2009) · Earth and Planetary Science Letters · doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2009.06.041 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
“…and Strom, 1992; Kargel, 2004), on the basis of 1) the fact that the glacial hypotheses requires major climate change late in Mars history (e.g., Baker et al., 1991) for which he found little supporting evidence, and 2) that the low erosion rates in the Amazonian argues against any major…”
Background
Rates and mechanisms of chemical weathering of ferromagnesian silicate minerals on Mars
Burns, R. G. (1993) · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta · doi:10.1016/0016-7037(93)90182-v · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Evidence of ancient continental glaciation in the Martian northern plains
Kargel, J. S., Baker, V. R., Begét, J. E., Lockwood, J. F., Pewe, T. L., Shaw, J., & STROM, R. G. (1995) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/94je02447 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Evolution of Lacustrine Environments on Mars: Is Mars Only Hydrologically Dormant?
Cabrol, N. A. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2000.6530 · Cited by 184 · see citing works
Could the Lunar “Late Heavy Bombardment” Have Been Triggered by the Formation of Uranus and Neptune?
Levison, H., Dones, L., Chapman, C., Stern, S., Duncan, M., & Zahnle, K. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6608 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
Deltaic deposits at Aeolis Dorsa: Sedimentary evidence for a standing body of water on the northern plains of Mars
DiBiase, R. A., Limaye, A. B. S., Scheingross, J., Fischer, W. W., & Lamb, M. P. (2013) · Journal of Geophysical Research Planets · doi:10.1002/jgre.20100 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
“…of water on the surface of Mars, either in the form of crater lakes [Newsom et al., 1996; Cabrol and Grin, 1999; Fassett and Head, 2008; Buhler et al., 2011; Goudge et al., 2012], or more provocatively as a hemispheric ocean spanning the northern lowlands [Parker et al., 1989; Baker et al., 1991].”
Background
Sequence and timing of conditions on early Mars
Fassett, C. I., & Head, J. W., III (2010) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.11.014 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Thermal contraction crack polygons on Mars: A synthesis from HiRISE, Phoenix, and terrestrial analog studies
Levy, J. S., Marchant, D. R., & Head, J. W., III (2009) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2009.09.005 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
“Liquid water has clearly played a role in the physical and chemical development of the martian surface, particularly in its early history (Squyres, 1989; Baker et al., 1991; Carr, 1996; Baker, 2001; Bibring et al., 2006).”
Background
Origin of water in the terrestrial planets
Drake, M. (2005) · Meteoritics and Planetary Science · doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2005.tb00960.x · Cited by 179 · see citing works
“Further, Baker et al. (1991) present photogeological evidence for a boreal ocean on Mars.”
Background
Mineralogical Biosignatures and the Search for Life on Mars
Banfield, J. F., Moreau, J. W., Chan, C. S., Welch, S. A., & Little, B. J. (2001) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/153110701753593856 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Chaotic obliquity and the nature of the Martian climate
JAKOSKY, B. M., Henderson, B. G., & Mellon, M. T. (1995) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/94je02801 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Geologic and mineralogic mapping of Aram Chaos: Evidence for a water‐rich history
Glotch, T. D., & Christensen, P. R. (2005) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2004je002389 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
CO2 hydrate stability in oceanic sediments under brine conditions
Qureshi, M. F., Khandelwal, H., Usadi, A. K., Barckholtz, T. A., Mhadeshwar, A. B., & Linga, P. (2022) · Energy · doi:10.1016/j.energy.2022.124625 · Cited by 167 · see citing works
A cold and wet Mars
Fairén, A. G. (2010) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.01.006 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Lava Cave Microbial Communities Within Mats and Secondary Mineral Deposits: Implications for Life Detection on Other Planets
Northup, D. E., Melim, L. A., Spilde, M. N., Hathaway, J. J. M., Garcia, M. G., Moya, M., Stone, F. D., Boston, P. J., Dapkevicius, M. D. L. E., & Riquelme, C. (2011) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2010.0562 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
“T he recognition that early Mars was quite similar to early Earth, warmer and with liquid water (Baker et al., 1991), led to the suggestion that life may have evolved on Mars at about the same time as it did on Earth (Westall et al., 2000; Beaty et al., 2005).”
Detection of Hydrated Silicates in Crustal Outcrops in the Northern Plains of Mars
Carter, J., Poulet, F., Bibring, J. P., & Murchie, S. L. (2010) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.1189013 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Martian surface/near‐surface water inventory: Sources, sinks, and changes with time
Carr, M. H., & Head, J. W. (2015) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1002/2014gl062464 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
“If oceans were formerly present [Baker et al., 1991; Clifford and Parker, 2001], then a global equivalent layer (GEL) of hundreds of meters to kilometers of near-surface liquid water would have been required.”
Background
Evidence for pervasive mud volcanism in Acidalia Planitia, Mars
Oehler, D. Z., & Allen, C. C. (2010) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2010.03.031 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
“Others consider that as a result of the outflow floods, Chryse, Acidalia and possibly the entire northern lowlands were under water at one time (Parker et al., 1989, 1993; Scott et al., 1991, 1995; Baker et al., 1991; Rice and Edgett, 1997).”
Background
Geologic Constraints on Early Mars Climate
Kite, E. S. (2019) · Space Science Reviews · doi:10.1007/s11214-018-0575-5 · Cited by 159 · see citing works
A chronology of early Mars climatic evolution from impact crater degradation
Mangold, N., Adeli, S., Conway, S. J., Ansan, V., & Langlais, B. (2012) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2011je004005 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
“Nevertheless, such process was proposed to have occurred at a global scale as a result of the main period of outflow channel formation in the Late Hesperian [Baker et al., 1991], a timing that is consistent with the type II crater ages.”
Result
Pingos on Earth and Mars
Burr, D. M., Tanaka, K. L., & Yoshikawa, K. (2008) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2008.11.003 · Cited by 155 · see citing works
Exploration of hydrothermal targets on Mars
Schulze‐Makuch, D., Dohm, J. M., FAN, C., Fairén, A. G., Rodriguez, J. A. P., Baker, V. R., & Fink, W. (2007) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.02.007 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
“They can significantly alter large-scale topography, drainages, landscapes, sedimentation, climate (Baker et al., 1991; Maruyama, 1994), and even break up a continent (Li et al. 2003).”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Oceans or seas in the Martian northern lowlands: High resolution imaging tests of proposed coastlines
Malin, M. C., & Edgett, K. S. (1999) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/1999gl002342 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
“…in which it is envisioned that Mars might once have had large bodies of liquid water—either in the form of an ocean (Parker et al. 1989, 1993; Baker et al. 1991), an ice-covered ocean (Lucchitta et al. 1986), or a series of large seas (Scott et al. 1992, 1995)—that would have occupied the…”
Background
A chemical model for evaporites on early Mars: Possible sedimentary tracers of the early climate and implications for exploration
Catling, D. C. (1999) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets · doi:10.1029/1998je001020 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Dielectric map of the Martian northern hemisphere and the nature of plain filling materials
Mouginot, J., Pommerol, A., Beck, P., Kofman, W., & Clifford, S. M. (2012) · Geophysical Research Letters · doi:10.1029/2011gl050286 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
“…of possible paleoshorelines surrounding the northern plains of Mars, it has been argued that the planet may have once hosted “Oceanus Borealis”, a hemispheric ocean that covered more than 30% of the planet’s surface [Baker et al., 1991; Parker et al., 1993; Clifford and Parker, 2001].”
Background
Progressive incision of the Channeled Scablands by outburst floods
Larsen, I. J., & Lamb, M. P. (2016) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature19817 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
New observations of Warrego Valles, Mars: Evidence for precipitation and surface runoff
Ansan, V., & Mangold, N. (2006) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2005.12.009 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Atmospheric Evolution of the Terrestrial Planets
Hunten, D. M. (1993) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.259.5097.915 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Interior trough deposits on Mars: Subice volcanoes?
Chapman, M. G., & Tanaka, K. L. (2001) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2000je001303 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
A volcanic origin for the outflow channels of Mars: Key evidence and major implications
Leverington, D. W. (2011) · Geomorphology · doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.05.022 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Large‐scale spring deposits on Mars?
Rossi, A. P., Neukum, G., Pondrelli, M., van Gasselt, S., Zegers, T. E., Hauber, E., Chicarro, A. F., & Foing, B. H. (2008) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2007je003062 · Cited by 138 · see citing works
“The need for long-term strict Earth-like conditions [Baker et al., 1991] would not be a too stringent requirement in order to explain the deposition of LTDs in Valles Marineris and chaotic terrains as spring deposits: still, liquid water should be stable, but the climate would not have to be as…”
Background
Martian impact crater ejecta morphologies as indicators of the distribution of subsurface volatiles
Barlow, N. G., & Perez, C. B. (2003) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2002je002036 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
“The entire northern plains has been proposed to have contained an ocean during one or more episodes of Martian history due to its low topography and smoothness [Baker et al., 1991; Parker et al., 1993; Smith et al., 1999].”
Background
Mars outflow channels: A reappraisal of the estimation of water flow velocities from water depths, regional slopes, and channel floor properties
Wilson, L., Ghatan, G. J., Head, J. W., III, & Mitchell, K. L. (2004) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2004je002281 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Microbial diversity in sediments associated with surface-breaching gas hydrate mounds in the Gulf of Mexico
Mills, H. J., Hodges, C., Wilson, K. R., MacDonald, I. R., & Sobecky, P. A. (2003) · FEMS Microbiology Ecology · doi:10.1016/s0168-6496(03)00191-0 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Pitted cones and domes on Mars: Observations in Acidalia Planitia and Cydonia Mensae using MOC, THEMIS, and TES data
Farrand, W. H., Gaddis, L. R., & Keszthelyi, L. P. (2005) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2004je002297 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
“The VBF surface has been described variously as the former ocean floor of a standing northern ocean [Parker et al., 1989, 1993; Baker et al., 1991], as a clastic sedimentary unit dropped from suspension from a short-lived ocean produced by the outflow channels to the south [Kreslavsky and Head,…”
Background
Flood and megaflood processes and deposits : recent and ancient examples
Martini, I., Baker, V. R., & Garzón, G. (2002) · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Self-citation
Martian drainage densities
Carr, M. H., & Chuang, F. C. (1997) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/97je00113 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Sequestered glacial ice contribution to the global Martian water budget: Geometric constraints on the volume of remnant, midlatitude debris-covered glaciers
Levy, J. S., Fassett, C. I., Head, J. W., III, Schwartz, C., & Watters, J. L. (2014) · Journal of Geophysical Research Planets · doi:10.1002/2014je004685 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Hydrological modeling of the Martian crust with application to the pressurization of aquifers
Andrews‐Hanna, J. C., & Phillips, R. J. (2005) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2004je002330 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Meter-Scale Characteristics of Martian Channels and Valleys
Carr, M. H. (2000) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2000.6428 · Cited by 126 · see citing works
Timing of oceans on Mars from shoreline deformation
Citron, R., Manga, M., & Hemingway, D. (2018) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature26144 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Terraces and Gilbert‐type deltas in crater lakes in Ismenius Lacus and Memnonia (Mars)
Ori, G. G., Marinangeli, L., & Baliva, A. (2000) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/1999je001219 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
An episodic slab-rollback model for the origin of the Tharsis rise on Mars: Implications for initiation of local plate subduction and final unification of a kinematically linked global plate-tectonic network on Earth
Yin, A. (2012) · Lithosphere · doi:10.1130/l195.1 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
The State and Future of Mars Polar Science and Exploration
Clifford, S. M. (2000) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.1999.6290 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Geologic History of the Polar Regions of Mars Based on Mars Global Surveyor Data I. Noachian and Hesperian Periods
Tanaka, K. (2001) · Icarus · doi:10.1006/icar.2001.6675 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
The generation of martian floods by the melting of ground ice above dykes
McKenzie, D., & Nimmo, F. (1999) · Nature · doi:10.1038/16649 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Fluvial and lacustrine activity on layered deposits in Melas Chasma, Valles Marineris, Mars
Quantin‐Nataf, C., Allemand, P., Mangold, N., Dromart, G., & Delacourt, C. (2005) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2005je002440 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Noble gases in iddingsite from the Lafayette meteorite: Evidence for liquid water on Mars in the last few hundred million years
Swindle, T. D., Treiman, A. H., Lindstrom, D. J., Burkland, M. K., Cohen, B. A., Grier, J. A., Li, B., & Olson, E. K. (2000) · Meteoritics and Planetary Science · doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2000.tb01978.x · Cited by 117 · see citing works
GRS evidence and the possibility of paleooceans on Mars
Dohm, J. M., Baker, V. R., Boynton, W. V., Fairén, A. G., Ferris, J. C., Finch, M., Furfaro, R., Hare, T. M., Janes, D. M., Kargel, J. S., et al. (2008) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2008.10.008 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Self-citation
Variations in K/Th on Mars
Taylor, G. J., Stopar, J. D., Boynton, W. V., Karunatillake, S., Keller, J. M., Brückner, J., Wänke, H., DREIBUS, G., Kerry, K. E., Reedy, R. C., et al. (2006) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2006je002676 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Self-citation
Periods of active permafrost layer formation during the geological history of Mars: Implications for circum-polar and mid-latitude surface processes
Kreslavsky, M. A., Head, J. W., III, & Marchant, D. R. (2007) · Planetary and Space Science · doi:10.1016/j.pss.2006.02.010 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
“…Hesperian Period, the emplacement of large aqueous outflow channels following cryospheric breaching and groundwater discharge may have created regional standing bodies of water that in themselves influenced global atmospheric and climate conditions (e.g., Baker et al., 1991; Gulick et al., 1997).”
BackgroundInfluential
Geological record of an acidic environment driven by iron hydrochemistry: The Tinto River system
Fernández‐Remolar, D. C., Rodríguez, N., Gómez, F., & Amils, R. (2003) · Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres · doi:10.1029/2002je001918 · Cited by 114 · see citing works

Authors: Baker, V. R., Strom, R. G., Gulick, V. C., Kargel, J. S., Komatsu, G., & Kale, V. S.
Affiliations: University of Arizona (US)
Savitribai Phule Pune University (IN)
ORCID: Baker, V. R.
Gulick, V. C.
Kargel, J. S.
Komatsu, G.
Kale, V. S.
Venue: Nature
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 1991-08
Volume: 352
Issue: 6336
Pages: 589-594
ISSN: 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
1476-4687
DOI: 10.1038/352589a0
OpenAlex: W2019919661
Cited by: 714
References: 46
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 21
FWCI: 21.03
Type: journal article
Language: en
Update notices: correction (1991-11-07)
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Geological formations and processes
Keywords: Mars, ancient oceans, ice sheets, water cycle, valley networks, Tharsis volcanism, glaciation, Northern Plains, Southern Highlands, Martian paleoclimate

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