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Martian Gullies Formed by Unique CO2 Ice Process

10/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Blocks of frozen carbon dioxide sliding down Martian dunes may form the planet's gullies, according to Dr. Lonneke Roelofs and her team.
In experiments simulating Martian conditions, they observed sublimating CO2 ice burrowing into sand and creating trenches.
The process is driven by gas pressure from sublimation, unseen on Earth.
The gullies are not formed by water or life, which suggests a Martian-unique geological force.

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Story summary

Blocks of frozen carbon dioxide sliding down Martian dunes may form the planet's gullies, according to Dr. Lonneke Roelofs and her team.
In experiments simulating Martian conditions, they observed sublimating CO2 ice burrowing into sand and creating trenches.
The process is driven by gas pressure from sublimation, unseen on Earth.
The gullies are not formed by water or life, which suggests a Martian-unique geological force.