EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Greeley et al. 2000
Greeley, R., Kraft, M.D., Kuzmin, R.O. and Bridges, N.T. (2000). Mars Pathfinder landing site: Evidence for a change in wind regime from lander and orbiter data. Journal of Geophysical Research 105: doi: 10.1029/1999JE001072. issn: 0148-0227.

Surface features related to the wind are observed in the vicinity of the Mars Pathfinder (MPF) landing site data from the lander and in data from orbit by the Viking Orbiter and Mars Global Surveyor missions. Features seen from the surface include wind tails associated with small rocks, barchanoid duneforms, ripplelike patterns, and ventifact flutes cut into some rocks. Features seen from orbit include wind tails associated with impact craters, ridges inferred to be duneforms, and modified crater rims interpreted to have been eroded and mantled by windblown material. The orientations of these features show two prevailing directions. One is inferred to represent winds from the northeast, which is consistent with strongest winds predicted by a general circulation model to occur during the Martian northern winter under current conditions. A second wind blowing from the ESE was responsible for modifying the crater rims and cutting some of the ventifacts. The two wind regimes could reflect a change in climate related to Mars' obliquity or some other, unknown factor. Regardless of the cause, the MPF area has been subjected to a complex pattern of winds and supply of small particles, and the original surface formed by sedimentary processes from Tiu and Ares Vallis flooding events has been modified by repeated burial and exhumation. Âż 2000 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Atmospheres—evolution, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Erosion and weathering, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Surface materials and properties, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Mars
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit