Morphology, development, and sediment dynamics of elongating linear dunes on Mars
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Linear dunes occur on planetary surfaces, including Earth, Mars, and Titan, yet their dynamics are poorly understood. Recent studies of terrestrial linear dunes suggest they migrate by elongation only in supply-limited environments. Here, we investigate elongating linear dunes in the Hellespontus Montes region of Mars which are morphologically similar to terrestrial systems. Multitemporal, high-resolution orbital images show these linear dunes migrate by elongation only and that the fixed sediment source of the dunes probably restricts any lateral migration. Some linear dunes maintain their along-length volume and elongate at rates comparable to adjacent barchans, whereas those which decrease in volume show no elongation, suggesting they are near steady state, matching morphometric predictions. Limited sediment supply may restrict Martian linear dunes to several kilometers, significantly shorter than many terrestrial linear dunes. Our results demonstrate the close similarities in dune dynamics across the two planetary surfaces.
Date Issued
2020-06-28
Date Acceptance
2020-05-14
Citation
Geophysical Research Letters, 2020, 47 (12)
ISSN
0094-8276
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
47
Issue
12
Copyright Statement
©2020. The Authors.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000551464800009&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Subjects
Aeolian
EARTH
GALE CRATER
Geology
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
HiRISE
linear dunes
mars
OBLIQUE DUNES
Physical Sciences
remote sensing
SAND FLUXES
Science & Technology
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e2020GL088456
Date Publish Online
2020-05-24