Fact Sheet
Gassy Eruptions
Geysers of carbon dioxide gas erupt from below the Martian ice cap, blasting sand into the atmosphere, in this artist's concept. NASA scientists reported last week that these eruptions may be common as the ice cap warms. The eruptions could explain dark streaks that show up in photographs of the polar ice caps in late spring and early summer. As the ice caps warm up, frozen carbon dioxide below the surface vaporizes, pushing its way to the surface through violent eruptions. [Credit: Ron Miller/Arizona State]
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