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Michaels 2006
Michaels, T.I. (2006). Numerical modeling of Mars dust devils: Albedo track generation. Geophysical Research Letters 33: doi: 10.1029/2006GL026268. issn: 0094-8276.

Dust devil tracks are abundant on Mars, and can significantly change the regional surface albedo, possibly altering regional-scale atmospheric circulations. However, little is understood about the formation of these features, besides their correlation with dust devils. The Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS) is used here to explicitly simulate the formation of a dust devil track. The example dust devil (200 m in diameter) studied in detail here generates a track approximately 1.5 km long, 75 m wide, and 1--8 ¿m in depth, which compares well with observed real-world tracks. Valuable insight is gleaned from the study of the formation of this simulated track, which may be used to better interpret the linkage between observed dust devil tracks and the atmospheric and surface conditions that spawned them.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Atmospheric Processes, Boundary layer processes, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Atmospheres (0343, 1060), Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Erosion and weathering, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Meteorology, Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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