S. L. Murchie

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

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About

S. L. Murchie is a leading planetary scientist whose work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of water ice on Mars. His primary research focuses on Mars geology, surface composition, and subsurface processes, with a key contribution being the discovery of near‑tropical subsurface ice. In his highly cited 2010 paper (94 citations), Murchie demonstrated that perennial water ice exists at latitudes as low as 25° in the southern hemisphere—far closer to the equator than previously thought. This finding challenged existing models of ice stability and revealed that Mars’ subsurface ice reservoir is more extensive and dynamic than earlier believed, with implications for past climate cycles and future human exploration. Murchie’s work, often leveraging data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s CRISM instrument, has been instrumental in mapping hydrated minerals and volatile distributions across the planet. His research not only deepens our knowledge of Martian hydrology but also guides the search for habitable environments and resources. With a career marked by high‑impact discoveries, Murchie continues to be a pivotal figure in planetary science, inspiring new generations of researchers to explore the Red Planet’s hidden icy secrets.