The influence of local topography for wind direction on Mars : two examples of dune fields in crater basins

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

CARDINALE, M.

International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Univ. d'Annunzio, Pescara, Italie

KOMATSU, G.

International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Univ. d'Annunzio, Pescara, Italie

SILVESTRO, S.

SETI Inst., Carl Sagan Center, CA, Mountain View, Etats-Unis

TIRSCH, D.

German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Allemagne

Description :
The AA. perform an analysis of large dark dunes within Moreux Crater and Herschel Crater on Mars using High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) and Context Camera (CTX) data sets. These data allowing to conduct a detailed analysis of dune morphology and slip faces, the AA. conclude that the studied dune fields are influenced by topographically-controlled complex wind directions. Their morphological analysis reveals that inside Moreux Crater in particular, the topographic setting dominates the wind flow direction, leading to the development of a sand transport pathway encircling the central peak of the crater. The dune fields in Herschel Crater are also affected by winds controlled by variable topography as suggested by the presence of complex dunes and dune fields. This analysis indicate that the studied dune systems is not the result of paleo-wind regimes.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2012, vol. 37, n°. 13, p. 1437-1443, nombre de pages : 7, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais