Glacial and periglacial landforms in Denmark: Scandinavian analogs for Martian features

• Main Author: Rossbacher, L. A.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1984
• Subjects: 91; Greenland
• Online Access: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19840015439

The geomorphology of Denmark is dominated by glacial deposits, including both end moraines and ground moraines. Many of these features have morphologies similar to features observed on Mars. A characteristic landscape complex in Denmark is a series of irregular mounds or parallel curvilinear ridges that outline the former ice margin. Many of these resemble curviliner features on Mars, and the Danish landforms occur at a similar scale. Another distinctive landform in Denmark is the hummocky moraine landscape found in parts of Sjaelland. Although their size is smaller, these areas resemble the hummocky terrain associated with some of the curvilinear features in the northern plains of Mars. The hummocky Danish terrain is probably caused by the melting of masses of dead ice left during glacial retreat. Similar landscapes observed developing during retreat of smaller glaciers were ice caps in Scandinavian mountains and in Greenland.