Geospatial Interpretation of MARSIS Data: A GIS Approach to Martian Subsurface Analysis
Presentation Time: Fri, 05/02/2025 - 11:30
Keywords: MARSIS, GIS, Subsurface Water, Martian Hydrology, Geospatial Analysis
Detecting subsurface water on Mars is critical to understanding the planet’s geological evolution, climate history, and potential habitability. This study analyzes radar data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS), a low-frequency, pulse-limited radar sounder aboard the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter, to detect and characterize potential subsurface water reservoirs. Radar reflections from 8,811 orbital passes are analyzed to determine subsurface composition, dielectric properties, and stratigraphic layering, distinguishing between dry rock, hydrated minerals, brines, and ice deposits at depths of up to five kilometers. Advanced signal processing techniques, including clutter suppression and noise filtering, enhance radargram clarity and improve the detection of anomalous reflectors indicative of subsurface water. Preliminary results indicate bright basal reflectors beneath South Polar Layered Deposits (SPLD), validating the presence of brine-rich solutions that may remain liquid under current Martian conditions. Additional reflectors in mid-latitude regions hint at subsurface ice reservoirs, potentially linked to past glacial activity. To facilitate large-scale mapping, processed MARSIS radargram data is integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework. The GIS-based approach enables spatial interpolation and anomaly clustering, allowing for the visualization and classification of subsurface reflective features across different Martian regions. By applying geostatistical techniques, such as kriging and inverse distance weighting (IDW), the extent and distribution of potential water-bearing formations are mapped with high spatial resolution. These findings contribute to planetary science, astrobiology, and future Mars exploration, including in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for human missions.
