[kinsman redeemer]

Thank you. I am not convinced by the "we never saw that kind of color change" argument - alone. We are learning more all the time.

What is "dynamic analysis of the structure of the flow?" If that means the dynamics of flow and the resulting structure - then I'd ask, "Why does it appear to be a distributary on a downhill slope? " It doesn't appear to reach a flat area - atleast not from a monoscopic view of the image.

Please - I am only speculating here - I hope you understand.

[Unmarked Package]

Why does it appear to be a distributary on a downhill slope? " It doesn't appear to reach a flat area - atleast not from a monoscopic view of the image. Please - I am only speculating here - I hope you understand.

I certainly understand, skepticism is good. :-)

The pictures accompanying this article don't do justice to the structure of the flow. See the picture below for a better rendition.

[verum ago]

obviously the "we never saw that kind of color change" argument cannot be proof of anything (like water), it can only discredit other phenomenon
IMHO:
as for the distributary structure of the flow, that is interesting. However, it may be noteworthy that the flow is not on a surface with established drainages-- the area where the flow is appears to be a talus slope that has accumulated from countless small slides-- which could create a largely homogeneous surface shape devoid of any major topological low areas that would confine the flow within themselves. On earth these low areas are usually present from the consistent long-term action erosion (especially by water) which Mars lacks. The question is whether the local topology of that part of the talus slope contains enough vertical variation that the flow should be contained to a single channel; without regular water flow I see no reason that it should. Also, the flow appears to come from a single point, making a tributary form impossible (for lack of anything for the flow to contribute to or have contributed to it). Finally, may I suggest that if one were to take a signifcant quantity of water, say, a bucketful,and quickly dump it on a pile of dirt the water will will spread out in a distributary fashion with many rivulets. Only after there has been enough water consistently flowing (like having a garden hose issuing water onto the pile) can the flow establish a channel via erosion and contain itself within it (a more tributary from).

/shameless speculation