A more complete picture of ground ice comes from measurements of hydrogen in the Martian soil. This map shows an increasing amount of hydrogen in the upper meter of the soil heading north and south from the equator. The most likely source is water—H2O—trapped as permafrost in a dusty layer. Much more water may lie farther below the surface.

ID#:

WEB13759-2014

Source:

Los Alamos National Laboratory image

Copyright:

Smithsonian Institution

Rights Usage:

Contact Smithsonian Institution

Terms of Use:

Smithsonian Terms of Use

For print or commercial use please see permissions information.