Patterns of Glacial Deformation in a Lobate Debris Apron: Implications for Glacial Geology, Internal Structure, and Regional Climate History

International audience ; Viscous Flow Features (VFF) are widespread in the martian mid-latitudes andindicative of near-surface ice deposits. Their distribution and morphology hintat the regional history of ice deposition and ablation, as well as changes insurface temperature. Here we interrogate the deformation history of a typeof VFF, a Lobate Debris Apron (LDA), located in the eastern Hellas regionfrom its surface morphology, discussing the implications it poses for its internalstructure and regional climate variability. Our observations integrate data fromthe Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS), the SHAllow RADar(SHARAD), the Context Camera (CTX), the High Resolution Imaging ScienceExperiment (HiRISE), and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Morphologicalobservations, spectral analysis of characteristic wavelengths, and icedeformation stability analysis place constraints on the dynamics and deformationhistory of the deposit. We discuss contrasting hypotheses for the originof the dierent surface structures, including the possibility of geliuction inaddition to glacial creep. Our results provide a guide to interpret glacial deformationpatterns in martian VFFs in the light of internal structure, regionalclimate history, and underlying topography.