1. Mentor: Timothy N. Titus2
Mars South Polar Residual Cap: Determining Heights and distributions of Swiss Cheese Features
Eric O. Betz1,2
Mentor: Timothy N. Titus2
1Northern Arizona University
2United States Geological Survey

2. Mars Orbiter Camera MOC acquires high res. images of the SPRC
Strange features dubbed Swiss Cheese
CO2 determined to be thin overlying layer

3. Unit A: Quasi-circular depressions and mesas
Swiss Cheese
Unit A: Quasi-circular depressions and mesas

4. Curl Depressions: Bean or heart shaped depressions with ramp to feature floor

5. Unit B: Typically is smaller than and surrounds unit A in a variety of shapes

6. Fingerprint Terrain: Linear depressions capable of near uniformity across vast distances

7. Project Goals Determine the height of units A and B
Determine distribution of units A and B
Find the average height of the SPRC

8. Significance Porosity of the SPRC CO2 ice.
Thickness of the SPRC CO2 veneer.
Re-deposition of mass from CO2 retreat.

9. Photoclinometry Photoclinometry = Shape from Shade
Turns 2D image into 3D Digital Elevation Map
USGS ISIS photoclinometry program PC2D
Problems- Albedo must be uniform

10. Results
8,484 Measurements of 181 DEMs

11. Unit A = Purple Curl = Red Fingerprint = Yellow Unit B = Blue
Map Projected DEMs
Unit A = Purple Curl = Red Fingerprint = Yellow Unit B = Blue
Unit A = 8 ± 2.52m Curl = 5.3 ± 1.4m Fingerprint = 2.8 ± .46m Unit B = 1.9 ± .33m

12. Acknowledgements
I also thank Glen Cushing for his direction and advice, as well as the United States Geological Survey and NASA for financial Support.

13. References
Byrne, S., A.P. Ingersoll, Martian climatic events on timescales of centuries: Evidence from feature morphology in the residual south polar ice cap. Journal of Geophysical Research Letters. Vol. 30 NO 13, 1696.
Leighton, R.L., Murray, B.C., Behavior of carbon dioxide and other volatiles on Mars. Science ,
Kieffer, H.H., et al Martian north polar temperatures: dirty water ice. Science. 194,
Kieffer, H.H., 1979, Mars South Polar Spring and Summer Temperatures: A Residual CO2 Frost. Journal Geophysical Research. 84 NO. B14,
Kirk, R.L., Photoclinometry user guide.
Thomas, P.C., M.C. Malin, P.B. James, et al., South polar residual cap of Mars: features, stratigraphy, and changes. Icarus. 174,
Titus, T.N., H.H. Kieffer, and P.R. Christensen, Exposed water ice detected near south pole of Mars. Science. 299,