Physics
Scientific paper
May 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agusm.p31a..09w&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2002, abstract #P31A-09
Physics
5415 Erosion And Weathering, 5464 Remote Sensing, 5470 Surface Materials And Properties, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
Narrow-angle (NA) images taken by the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft are being systematically searched to document the occurrence and physical dimensions of ripple-like features on Mars. The features being studied here are aligned linear to curvilinear subtle ridges and troughs, usually with a consistent wavelength (generally less than 100 m) across various reaches. These features have been attributed to aeolian processes (movement of surface particles by the wind), and have been described both as small dunes and as large ripples. Differing processes associated with the formation of ripples and dunes make it important to evaluate which term is most appropriate for the Martian features. The investigation to date has involved a detailed examination of every released MOC NA image in the Syrtis Major region (Mars Chart 13), and identification of prominent ripple-like occurrences as a function of longitude from Amazonis Planitia into the southern highlands (Mars Charts 2, 8, 16, and 24). Wavelength and crest length have been measured for selected good examples of several sub-classes of the ripple-like features, resulting in wavelengths that range from 25 to 50 m in the Syrtis Major region, and from 25 m to more than 75 m in the Amazonis-Highlands region. Crest lengths generally exceed 200 m in the Syrtis Major region, but they range from 20 m to more than 750 m in the Amazonis-Highlands region. These dimensions are comparable to some sand dunes on Earth, but particularly the small end of the size ranges are generally consistent with the attributes of the largest aeolian ripples on Earth. Given the reduced gravity and atmospheric density for Mars, as compared to Earth, the results to date are interpreted to support a ripple origin in preference to an origin as a dune.
Brougher J.
Casabianca J.
Griswold Alex
Hennig L.
Horning Karen
No associations
LandOfFree
Characteristics of Ripples on Mars Derived From MOC Images does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Characteristics of Ripples on Mars Derived From MOC Images, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Characteristics of Ripples on Mars Derived From MOC Images will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1721711