Exploratour - Water on Mars
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NASA
Martian Water Cycle?
Thus, there is plenty of evidence for running water on Mars. But this evidence suggests that the nature of flowing water on Mars is nothing like it's terrestrial counterpart. An analysis of this evidence suggests two possibilities for the way water is cycled on Mars, globally.
1.) Since warm weather is needed for the formation of the river channels and floods, episodes of warm climate caused floods, releasing water into the atmosphere and further contributing to the warmer climate via the greenhouse effect. The end result of this process is that *water is returned* to the aquifer by atmospheric condensatation at higher latitudes, and the cycle repeats itself in the next episode of warm climate.
2.) Flooding causes a permanent transfer of water to low areas. The water isn't released, even during warm periods.
How can we know which one is correct? More exploration of Mars will provide the answers.
