Abstract
Whether the winds of the present Mars are shaping the variety of dune
forms observed on the Martian surface has remained an open question that
challenged planetary scientists for decades. In order to elucidate this
issue, we have studied sand transport and dune formation from two
different points of view. The first approach consists of solving the
equations of aeolian transport at the level of the particles, whereas we
study the trajectories and the velocities of sand grains during Martian
wind storms. Next, we adapt a well established continuum model for sand
dunes, which successfully reproduces the shape of Earth dunes, in order
to study the formation of dunes under atmospheric conditions of Mars.
Based on our results, we provide estimates for the wind strength, dune
velocity and the timescale of changes in wind directions on Mars. (c)
2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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