York U planetary scientist puts Mars lake theory on ice with new study that offers alternate explanation - YFile

Mars South Polar Layered Deposits on top of Martian Smectites: The multi-kilometer thick south polar ice cap has a base that is composed, at least partially, of a common type of clays. These clays are found over nearly half of the planet's surface and now at the edges of the ice cap. Radar measurements of the clays from a lab led by Smith show that they can explain the bright reflections observed by MARSIS, a simpler explanation than bodies of liquid water. Credits: ESA/DRL/FU Berlin (top), NASA (bottom).

York U planetary scientist puts Mars lake theory on ice with new study that offers alternate explanation

Interdisciplinary research of the south pole on Mars points to clays being the likely culprit of bright radar reflections, and not lake ice. The study was led by Isaac Smith, Canada Research Chair and assistant professor of Earth and space science at the Lassonde School of Engineering.