INTEGRATING SPECTRAL, RADAR DATA AND 3D MODELLING TO INVESTIGATE THE STRATIGRAPHY OF THE MARTIAN POLAR CAPS

The North Polar Cap on Mars represents a highly complex and dynamic environment, particularly when we examined it from a stratigraphic point of view. One key component that remains insufficiently understood is the content and composition of the inclusions entrapped within the polar layered deposits. Understanding these lithic inclusions is crucial as their characteristics can reveal important information about the past climate conditions and environmental variations that Mars has undergone throughout geological time. In this study, we focus on investigating the composition of inclusions (mostly with lithic origin) within the water ice layers exposed along the troughs of the North Polar Cap. Our approach integrates multiple datasets, including hyper-spectral cubes and radar data obtained from NASA orbiters, supported by laboratory simulations of icy analog materials designed to mimic Martian polar conditions. Specifically, we developed a dedicated laboratory set-up for hyper-spectral measurements of icy analogs containing atmospheric dust simulant, enabling us to compare spectral signatures directly with orbital observations. The results reveal convergence between hyper-spectral laboratory acquisitions and orbital data, confirming the presence and spectral features of icy layers. Furthermore, analyses of permittivity experiments and radargrams show promising indications about quantity and composition of the dust inclusions, even if they are preliminary. However, several significant challenges remain. Indeed, future work will focus on advancing laboratory permittivity measurements to enhance our understanding of the North Polar Cap stratigraphy. The integration between hyper-spectral and radar data and between orbital and laboratory data is essential for reconstructing Mars climatic history.