Avalanches, icy explosions, shooting geysers: New Year begins on Mars

As the New Year approaches on Earth, Mars scientists are celebrating a significant milestone: the completion of a Martian year on November 12, 2024. As temperatures rise, ice begins to thin, resulting in frost avalanches cascading down cliffsides and carbon dioxide gas violently erupting from the ground. Mars' thin atmosphere prevents liquid water from pooling on its surface; instead, ice sublimates directly into gas. Its High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera has captured stunning images of frost avalanches and gas geysers, providing valuable insights into Mars' evolving landscape. As researchers continue to study these processes, they gain deeper insights into Mars' climate and geology—an essential step toward understanding our neighboring planet's past and future.