Diverse polygonal patterned grounds are found to occur in the Eridania basin system (a set of connecting irregular‐shaped depressions interpreted as a paleolake basin system) located in the martian highland region between Terra Cimmeria and Sirenum. We here use multiple sets of imagery to document diverse polygonal patterned grounds in the fluvio‐lacustrine deposits of the northern Eridania basin, and interpret their formation mechanisms. The combination of detailed geomorphological mapping, morphometrical analyses, and investigation of the spatial distribution of polygonal patterned grounds with other geologic features leads us to conclude that (1) desiccation process within the clay‐rich materials would primarily contribute to the formation of cracked polygons, while the ridged polygons are best explained by mineral‐filled fractures that have been cemented and variably indurated by fluids; (2) the correlation between polygon size and topography is observed in the northern smooth light‐toned basement units, which can be best explained by the concentration of salt minerals (such as sulfate) in topographic lows so that the growth of fracturing is inhibited; (3) the large polygonal ridges formed in the knobby light‐toned terrains show a spatial distribution and a trend controlled by basin‐scale compressional tectonics and influenced by preexisting topography, for example, impact structures; (4) the linear fracture‐to‐ridge gradation indicates that the polygonal ridges in chlorides might be guided by the subjacent cracks occurring within clay‐rich materials; (5) both features (cracks and ridges) in some places may have formed simultaneously and are spatially distinct due to differences in erosional states; and (6) geologic features show a wealth of information of multiple aqueous events with the evaporation of the last liquid water ponding to form the southern playa where chloride salt precipitates. Crater retention age determination for the chloride‐bearing basement unit places a lower limit for the cessation of the local aqueous events to ∼3.29 Ga, indicating that the open‐system‐style alteration by surface waters on Mars might have continued in the period of the Late Hesperian to Early Amazonian.

中文翻译：

---

火星北部Eridania盆地的不同多边形图案地面：可能的起源和启示

发现位于Eridania盆地和Sirenum之间的火星高地地区的Eridania盆地系统（一组连接的不规则形凹陷被解释为古湖盆地系统）中存在多种多边形的地面。我们在这里使用多组图像来记录北爱德尼亚盆地北部河流湖泊沉积物中的各种多边形图案化的地面，并解释其形成机理。详细的地貌制图，形态计量学分析以及对多边形图案化地面的空间分布和其他地质特征的综合研究使我们得出以下结论：（1）粘土丰富的材料内的干燥过程将主要有助于形成破裂的多边形，脊状多边形最好用矿物胶结的裂缝解释，这些裂缝被胶结并被流体可变硬化；（2）在北部光滑的浅色基底单元中观察到了多边形大小与地形之间的相关性，这可以用地形低点中盐矿物质（例如硫酸盐）的浓度来最好地解释，从而抑制了裂缝的发展; （3）由浅色地形形成的大型多角脊呈现出空间分布和趋势，受盆地尺度的压缩构造控制，并受到诸如冲击结构等既有地形的影响；（4）裂缝到脊线的线性变化表明，氯化物中的多边形脊可能是由富含粘土的材料中发生的地下裂缝引导的。（5）由于侵蚀状态的不同，某些地方的两个特征（裂缝和山脊）可能同时形成，并且在空间上是不同的；（6）地质特征显示大量水事件的信息，最后一个液态水的蒸发形成了南部的海滩，氯化物盐在此沉淀。含氯地下室单元的火山口保留年龄的确定将当地水事件停止的下限设定为约3.29 Ga，这表明火星上地表水的开放系统式改变可能在该时期持续进行。晚西班牙人至早期亚马逊人。（6）地质特征显示大量水事件的信息，最后一个液态水的蒸发形成了南部的海滩，氯化物盐在此沉淀。含氯地下室单元的火山口保留年龄的确定将当地水事件停止的下限设定为约3.29 Ga，这表明火星上地表水的开放系统式改变可能在该时期持续进行。晚西班牙人至早期亚马逊人。（6）地质特征显示大量水事件的信息，最后一个液态水的蒸发形成了南部的海滩，氯化物盐在此沉淀。含氯地下室单元的火山口保留年龄的确定将当地水事件停止的下限设定为约3.29 Ga，这表明火星上地表水的开放系统式改变可能在该时期持续进行。晚西班牙人至早期亚马逊人。