The European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter has unveiled a fascinating geological phenomenon on Mars’ southern polar region, revealing vast “spiders” that are not living creatures but rather intricate patterns carved into the Martian surface. These formations, stretching up to 3,300 feet across, are the result of carbon dioxide ice sublimating—transitioning directly from solid to gas—during the planet’s spring. This process ejects darker material from beneath the surface, creating spider-like shapes. These features are particularly prominent around an area known as Inca City, or Angustus Labyrinthus, whose geometric ridges resemble Inca ruins and whose formation theories range from petrified sand dunes to magma activity. The understanding of these Martian “spiders” was enhanced by a 2021 laboratory experiment that successfully replicated the phenomenon, confirming that the direct sublimation of dry ice can carve these patterns. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of Martian geology but also showcases the dynamic and active processes shaping the Martian landscape.
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