Planet-wide sand motion on mars
Geology
By: N.T. Bridges, M.C. Bourke, Paul E. Geissler, M. E. Banks, C. Colon, S. Diniega, M.P. Golombek, C.J. Hansen, S. Mattson, A. S. McEwen, M. T. Mellon, N. Stantzos, and B.J. Thomson
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Prior to Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data, images of Mars showed no direct evidence for dune and ripple motion. This was consistent with climate models and lander measurements indicating that winds of sufficient intensity to mobilize sand were rare in the low-density atmosphere. We show that many sand ripples and dunes across Mars exhibit movement of as much as a few meters per year, demonstrating that Martian sand migrates under current conditions in diverse areas of the planet. Most motion is probably driven by wind gusts that are not resolved in global circulation models. A past climate with a thicker atmosphere is only required to move large ripples that contain coarse grains.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Planet-wide sand motion on mars |
| Series title | Geology |
| DOI | 10.1130/G32373.1 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Geological Society of America |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| First page | 31 |
| Last page | 34 |
| Other Geospatial | Mars |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |