Archive · 29 Dec 2025
ESA Reveals Martian Ice Age Evidence
The European Space Agency (ESA) has shared exciting details about an ancient ice age on Mars.
Mars, our neighboring planet, has scars from this ice age that shaped its landscape.
ESA shared pictures from their Mars Express spacecraft, showing features like Coloe Fossae, which are parallel lines created as chunks of ground fell away.
The images also show patterns called Lineated Valley Fill (LVF) and Concentric Crater Fill (CCF), which indicate where icy material flowed during the ice age.
There are also Glacier-like features called Lobate Debris Aprons (LDA).
These features are found at a latitude of 39 degrees N, far from Mars's north pole.
The ice accumulated there because of changes in Mars' axial tilt, which caused ice to spread from the poles to mid-latitudes during cold periods.
This ice age likely happened as recently as 500,000 years ago, leaving behind telltale signs of its presence.
ESA shared details and images of an ancient Martian ice age, showing features like Coloe Fossae, LVF, CCF, and LDA.
These features indicate slow-moving icy debris flows and ice accumulation, shaped by the ice age.
The ice age likely occurred as recently as 500,000 years ago.
Mars' axial tilt changes drove ice migration from the poles to mid-latitudes, leaving behind glacial features.
The features are found at a latitude of 39 degrees N, far from Mars's north pole.
- Who
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- What
- Evidence of an ancient Martian ice age and its impact on the planet's landscape.
- When
- The ice age likely occurred as recently as 500,000 years ago.
- Where
- Mars, specifically at a latitude of 39 degrees N.
- Why
- Changes in Mars' axial tilt drove ice migration from the poles to mid-latitudes, leaving behind glacial features.
- Coloe Fossae
- Parallel lines on Mars created by alternating chunks of ground falling away.
- Lineated Valley Fill (LVF)
- Valleys with swirling patterns indicating slow-moving icy debris flows.
- Concentric Crater Fill (CCF)
- Craters with concentric ridges formed by ice accumulation and deformation.
- Lobate Debris Aprons (LDA)
- Glacier-like features with rocky debris covering ice.
- Ice Age Timing
- Likely occurred as recently as 500,000 years ago.
- Latitude of Features
- 39 degrees N, far from Mars's north pole (90 degrees N).