Abstract
Aeolian (wind) processes can transport particles over large distances on Mars, leading to the modification or removal of surface features, formation of new landforms, and mantling or burial of surfaces. Erosion of mantling deposits by wind deflation can exhume older surfaces. These processes and their effects on the surface must be taken into account in using impact crater statistics to derive chronologies on Mars. In addition, mapping the locations, relative ages, and orientations of aeolian features can provide insight into Martian weather, climate, and climate history.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arvidson, R.E., Guinness, E.A., and Lee, S.:1979, 'Differential aeolian redistribution rates on Mars', Nature 278, 533-535.
Bagnold, F.R.S.:1954, The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes, Methuen, New York.
Binder, A.B., et al.:1977, 'The Geology of the Viking Lander 1 Site', J. Geophys. Res. 82, 4439-4451.
Bridges, N.T., Greeley, R., Haldemann, A.F.C., Herkenhoff, K.E., Kraft, M., Parker, T.J., and Ward, A.W.:1999, 'Ventifacts at the Pathfinder Landing Site', J. Geophys. Res. 104, 8595-8615.
Christensen, P.R.:1986, 'Regional Dust Deposits on Mars: Physical Properties, Age, and History', J. Geophys. Res. 91, 3533-3545.
Cooke, R., Warren, A., and Goudie, A.:1993, Desert Geomorphology, UCL Press, London.
Cutts, J.A., Blasius, K.R., Briggs, G.A., Carr, M.H., Greeley, R., and Masursky, H.:1976, 'North Polar Region of Mars:Imaging Results From Viking 2', Science 194, 1329-1337.
Dollfus, A., Deschamps, M., and Zimbelman, J.R.:1993, 'Soil Texture and Granulometry at the Surface of Mars', J. Geophys. Res. 98, 3413-3429.
Edgett, K.S., and Christensen, P.R.:1994, 'Mars Aeolian Sand: Regional Variations Among Darkhued Crater Floor Features', J. Geophys. Res. 99, 1997-2018.
Edgett, K.S., and Malin, M.C.:2000, 'New Views of Mars Aeolian Activity, Materials, and Surface Properties:Three Vignettes From the Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 1623-1650.
Golombek, M.P., and Bridges, N.T.:2000, 'Erosion Rates on Mars and Implications for Climate Change:Constraints From the Pathfinder Landing Site', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 1841-1853.
Greeley, R., and Iversen, J.:1985, Wind as a Geological Process, Cambridge Univ. Press, New York.
Greeley, R., Leach, R., White, B., Iversen, J., and Pollack, J.:1980, 'Threshold Windspeeds for Sand on Mars:W ind Tunnel Simulations', Geophys. Res. Lett. 7, 121-124.
Greeley, R., Leach, R.N., Williams, S.H., White, B.R., Pollack, J.B., Krinsley, D.H., and Marshall, J.R.:1982, 'Rate of Wind Abrasion on Mars', J. Geophys. Res. 87, 10,009-10,024.
Greeley, R., Williams, S.H., White, B.R., Pollack, J.B., and Marshall, J.R.:1985, 'Wind Abrasion on Earth and Mars', in M.J. Woldenberg (ed.), Models in Geomorphology, Allen and Unwin, Boston, 373-422.
Greeley, R., Lancaster, N., Lee, S., and Thomas, P.:1992, 'Martian Aeolian Processes, Sediments, and Features', in H.H. Kieffer et al. (eds.), Mars, Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, 730-766.
Greeley, R., Skypeck, A., and Pollack, J.B.:1993, 'Martian Aeolian Features and Deposits: Comparisons With General Circulation Model Results', J. Geophys. Res. 98, 3183-3196.
Greeley, R., et al.:1999, 'Aeolian Features and Processes at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site', J. Geophys. Res. 104, 8573-8584.
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', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 1829-1840.
Kuzmin, R.O., Greeley, R., Rafkin, S.C.R., and Haberle, R.M.:2000, 'Wind Related Modification of Small Impact Craters on Mars', Icarus, submitted.
Lancaster, N., and Greeley, R.:1990, 'Sediment Volume in the North Polar Sand Seas of Mars', J. Geophys. Res. 95, 10,921-10,927.
Malin, M.C., et al.:1998, 'Early Views of the Martian Surface From the Mars Orbiter Camera of Mars Global Surveyor', Science 279, 1681-1685.
McCauley, J.F.:1973, 'Mariner 9 Evidence for Wind Erosion in the Equatorial and Mid-latitude Regions of Mars', J. Geophys. Res. 78, 4123-4137.
Mutch, T.A., Arvidson, R.E., Binder, A.B., Guinness, E.A., and Morris, E.C.:1977, 'The Geology of the Viking 2 Landing Site', J. Geophys. Res. 82, 4452-4467.
Pollack, J.B.D., Haberle, R.M., Schaeffer, J., and Lee, H.:1990, 'Simulations of the General Circulation of the Martian Atmosphere I:Polar Processes', J. Geophys. Res. 95, 1447-1474.
Renno, N.O., Nash, A.A., Lunine, J., and Murphy, J.:2000, 'Martian and Terrestrial Dust Devils: Test of a Scaling Theory Using Pathfinder Data', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 1859-1865.
Sagan, C.:1973, 'Sandstorms and Aeolian Erosion on Mars', J. Geophys. Res. 78, 4155-4161.
Smith, P.H. and Lemmon, M.T.:1998, 'Dust Properties at the Pathfinder Site', Eos 78, F-549.
Soderblom, L.A., Kreidler, T.J., and Masursky, H.:1973, 'Latitudinal Distribution of a Debris Mantle on the Martian Surface', J. Geophys. Res. 78, 4117-4122.
Thomas, P.C., and Gierasch, P.J.:1985, 'Dust Devils on Mars', Science 278, 1758-1765.
Thomas, P.C., Veverka, J., Lee, S., and Blom, A., 1981: 'Classification of Wind Streaks on Mars', Icarus 45, 124-153.
Tsoar, H., Greeley, R., and Peterfreund, A.R.:1979, 'Mars: The North Polar Sand sea and Related Wind Patterns', J. Geophys. Res. 84, 8167-8182.
Ward, A.W.:1979, 'Yardangs on Mars: Evidence of Recent Wind Erosion', J. Geophys. Res. 84, 8147-8166.
Wells, G. L. and Zimbelman, J.R.:1989, 'Extraterrestrial Arid Surface Processes', in D.S.G. Thomas (ed.), Arid Zone Geomorphology, Belhaven Press, London, 335-358.
Zurek, R.W.:1992, 'Comparative Aspects of the Climate of Mars: An Introduction to the Current Atmosphere', in H.H. Kieffer et al. (eds.), Mars, Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, 799-817.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Greeley, R., Kuzmin, R.O. & Haberle, R.M. Aeolian Processes and their Effects on Understanding the Chronology of Mars. Space Science Reviews 96, 393–404 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011917910624
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011917910624