C. A. Hibbitts

Papers

Total Citations

137

H-Index

About

C. A. Hibbitts is a planetary scientist whose work has reshaped our understanding of water and surface processes on Mars. His most influential research centers on the formation and persistence of impact crater lakes on the Red Planet, demonstrating that large impacts (>65 km diameter) could create ice-covered lakes that remained liquid for extended periods. This 1996 study, with 137 citations, provided a critical framework for the robotic search for life on Mars by identifying accessible environments where liquid water—the essential biological catalyst—could have existed. Hibbitts’ contributions have been foundational in linking impact cratering to habitable niches, influencing mission targeting strategies and the broader search for extraterrestrial life. His work continues to inform how we interpret Martian paleolakes and the potential for preserved biosignatures, making him a key figure in planetary geology and astrobiology.