Debris-covered glaciers/viscous flow features (VFFs) inventory, texture mapping, and topographic profiles in Phlegra Montes, Mars

This dataset supports the 2026 study titled "Distribution and Surface Morphology of Debris-Covered Glaciers and the Latitude Dependent Mantle (LDM) in Phlegra Montes, Mars" by C.N. Andres et al (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2026.116994). The study examines spatial relationships and surface textures of debris-covered glaciers (viscous flow features or VFFs) and the Latitude Dependent Mantle (LDM) in the Phlegra Montes region on Mars — landforms that provide key insight into recent climate-driven surface modification on Mars. In this context, Lobate Debris Aprons (LDAs) are a subcategory of VFFs, that the study specifically focuses on.

The dataset includes manually digitized polygons using high-resolution CTX, HiRISE, and MOLA-HRSC basemaps. All spatial data are projected in the GCS_Mars coordinate system (WKID: 104905), based on the Mars 2000 datum and Mars_2000_IAU_IAG spheroid, with units in decimal degrees.

Version 1 of the dataset includes:

• PhlegraMontes_VFFs_CAndres – VFF Inventory (.shp file; polygon shapefile)
• PhlegraMontes_LDATextures_CAndres – LDA Textures (.shp file; polygon shapefile)
• PhlegraMontes_LDAElevProfilePoints_200m – LDA Elevation points (.csv file; point data)