Precipitation induced by explosive volcanism on Mars and its implications for unexpected equatorial ice
This modeling study suggests that explosive volcanic eruptions on early Mars could have delivered substantial amounts of water ice (up to ~5 meters) to equatorial regions, where ice is not expected to be stable under normal conditions. These volcanically induced ice deposits offer a compelling explanation for the elevated hydrogen content observed at low Martian latitudes, providing a mechanism for ice delivery independent of planetary obliquity changes. The model employs several simplifications regarding atmospheric processes and ash-water interactions, which may influence the exact distribution and persistence of the ice.