Publication Date:
2019-06-28
Description:
This paper presents the results of a study of local vortices, and dust devils, on Mars as observed by Viking Landers 1 and 2. It is found that these vortices are most common during Martian spring and summer, as occurs on earth. Seven of the vortices involve wind speeds that may raise dust from the Martian surface. There is no indication that these possible dust devils contribute to the planet-wide spread of major dust storms. However, it appears that they may help in maintaining the atmospheric dust content. The data indicate that there is no preference in rotation direction, at least to core diameters of 300 m (corresponding to a region of influence of about 3 km diameter).
Keywords:
LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION
Type:
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227); 88; 11005-11
Format:
text
Permalink