The origin and evolution of ice domes in the north polar region of Mars

We have identified 12 craters in the north polar region of Mars that contain domes of ice and 6 additional craters that contain domes which could have ice beneath a cover of dunes. These domes are located both adjacent to the polar cap deposits and up to ~600 km away. The two largest domes, in Korolev and Dokka craters, are located at distances of 623 and 301 km respectively. These domes are assumed to be remnants of a previously more extensive cap. We test this hypothesis and also explore three other possibilities: that the domes are formed by (1) post-impact hydrothermal activity, (2) upwelling of water from a deep aquifer, or (3) formed separately from the polar ice cap