Observational evidence for a dry dust-wind origin of Mars seasonal dark flows

TL;DR

This study provides observational evidence that seasonal dark flows on Mars are caused by dry dust movements rather than liquid water, challenging previous water-based interpretations and emphasizing the role of dust activity.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates that spectral identification of salts is unreliable and that RSL activity aligns with dust movement patterns, not liquid water.

Findings

Flow activity occurs across wider seasons and slopes than previously thought.

Spectral salt identification is not robust.

Dust movement explains RSL activity better than liquid water.

Abstract

Seasonal flows on warm slopes, or recurring slope lineae ("RSL"), have been presented as strong evidence for currently flowing water on Mars. This assumption was supported by a correlation between activity and warm temperatures, and by the spectral identification of hydrated salts. Here we first demonstrate that salts spectral identification is not robust, and that flow activity occurs on a wider range of seasons and slope orientations than previously thought, ruling out liquid water as a probable contributor. We then show that morphology, location and timing of flow activity is fully consistent with the removal and deposition of bright dust above darker underlying surfaces occurring notably in relation with seasonal dust storm activity. Mars recurring slope lineae are thus consistent with dust movements typical of present-day dry planet Mars.