An impact-induced, stable, runaway climate on Mars

Abstract Large asteroid and comet impacts on Mars, such as the one that formed the Argyre basin, delivered considerable amounts of kinetic energy to the planet and raised the surface temperature hundreds of degrees. The impact that formed the Argyre basin occurred 3.8–3.9 byr ago (Werner, S.C. [2008]. Icarus 195, 45–60; Fassett, C.I., Head, J.W. [2011]. Icarus 211, 1204–1214), during the time of formation of fluvial features on the early martian surface, and was capable of causing global-scale precipitation and warming of the surface. Dual solutions to the climate of early Mars, one cold like present Mars and the other in a hot runaway state, exist for the pressure range of 0.006–1 bar of CO 2 , and for water inventories 6.5 bars or greater. A large impact event may have pushed Mars to a long-lasting hot runaway state. The runaway state would persist until escape processes reduced water vapor and forced the planet to return to a cold climate.