the long-winded modelof mars（冗长的modelof火星）.docVIP

The Long-winded Model of Mars Summary The supposed ancient river channels of Mars may have formed without significant flows of water, as a result of processes driven mostly by carbon dioxide, the main component of the atmosphere there. Blocks of unstable sediments, located just beyond the upper reaches of these channels, partially collapse at depth. These sediments are proposed to consist mainly of fine dust and dry ice deposited during dust storms, like those so frquently seen. The sediments, eventually deeply buried and under slowly increasing lithostatic pressure, the result of dust deposition from multiple storms over aeons, collapse when their carbon dioxide component is liquified by the weight of these overlying strata. The carbon dioxide component escapes into the existing, nearby canyon head. Katabatic flows of cold air down these channels, associated with duststorms, then gradually, over further aeons, blow the remaining fine dust away, down and out of the channels. The proposed sedimentary processes are without close analogs on Earth and do not involve flash floods of any sort. If the model is correct, liquid water may never have flowed in quantity on Mars, and that planet may never have hosted water rivers, water oceans or a past wetter and warmer climate. Scientists are often accused of social irresponsibility. So, duty calls and I have something else to add. The above notwithstanding, I now think it possible that Mars may might have hosted and may perhaps yet support life. Small amounts of water ice and aptmospheric water vapour are definitely present. There are subsurface chemical, non-solar-driven pathways for raising water to temperatures and pressures that could enable it to remain liquid for considerable periods of time, so life may have evolved there. If it does exist on Mars, it could prove very hostile to our present terrestrial biosphere. So, on no account should humanity allow any spacecraft to return physically to this planet from that