Svalbard Permafrost Landforms as Analogues for Mars (SPLAM): Scientific outcomes and outlook

Kurzfassung

We have been conducting Earth-analog studies for Mars in Svalbard since 2008. The program includes qualitative studies of individual landforms, mapping efforts, and long-term monitoring studies. We have acquired high-resolution aerial datasets covering the years 2008, 2020, and 2024 of selected key regions in Svalbard. Data include the visual, NIR, thermal, and high-resolution DEMs. Interpretations using remote sensing have been accompanied by annual ground truth. Fieldwork involves structure-from-motion techniques, kite imagery, and measuring several weather and soil parameters during the active warm season. We will showcase some of the outcomes of previous studies and provide an outlook on the seasons to come.