Ice universality: perception of ice, its properties and connected processes on Earth and in the extraterrestrial environment. Earth sciences perspective

Abstract

The article characterizes ice from the research perspective of Earth sciences applied in the natural environment of the Earth and in Cosmos. In each case, ice is defined as a mineral and monomineral rock occurring in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic forms. It creates an icy lithosphere that completely covers icy planets and moons. Tectonic features and processes such as faults and folds, subduction as well as cryovolcanic phenomena, commonly occur in such lithosphere. On the Earth's surface, the icy lithosphere occurs in an analogous form, partially covering the land, lakes and oceans in form of glaciations and frozen water. In the Southern Hemisphere, its most spectacular example is the ice of the Antarctic continent and the accompanying shelf and sea ice, and in the Northern Hemisphere, the sea ice of the Arctic Sea and the Greenland ice sheet. Due to the specific natural conditions on Earth, the icy lithosphere here varies seasonally. Therefore, it is generally considered to be an unstable cover, which can only be seen in medium and low latitudes. Nevertheless, near the South Pole, ice may be older than 1,000,000 years. The special properties of ice from the perspective of Earth sciences include its dryness and ability to float on water. As a mineral and rock, ice cannot be a component of the atmosphere or hydrosphere, which are reserved for fluids, i.e. gases and liquids. The perception of Earth's ice should be consistent with how it is seen in Cosmos, because terrestrial conditions are unique and therefore not a valid reference point in analogical research conducted in space. The geocentric paradigm should be replaced by a cosmocentric paradigm as a matter of principle of which can be formulated as follows: The Earth is not the reference point in analogous studies of the natural environment of the celestial bodies. It is the Cosmos and celestial bodies that constitute the reference area for the Earth, and for the study of its natural environment.