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J.L. Heldmann, O.B. Toon (University of Colorado, Boulder ), C.P. McKay (NASA Ames Research Center), D.A. Andersen, W. Pollard (McGill University)
Geologic evidence for recent liquid water outflows on Mars suggests that these events occurred under present climatic conditions with mean surface temperatures of -60 degrees C and extensive permafrost. Such findings imply that liquid water must have been stable on the martian surface for a long enough period of time to produce the observed outflow channels. Aqueous brine solutions would be stable against boiling on the surface of Mars due to the vapor pressure depression of the saline solution. However, the solution does not necessarily have to be above its freezing point as water will still flow before icing over. Preliminary modeling results regarding the expected lifetimes of liquid water flows are presented. We also examine cold perennial saline springs in the Canadian High Arctic that flow through thick continuous permafrost as an analog for such spring activity on Mars.