Determining Formative Winds Through Geomorphology: Herschel Crater, Mars

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize the surface winds for a region of Mars by applying known relationships between wind and landforms observed on Earth to Mars. Eolian landforms apparent in Mars Orbital Camera imagery of the Herschel Crater region of Mars were investigated. A "wind map" of the area was produced using geomorphic analogy of terrestrial eolian landforms to infer the direction(s) of formative Martian surface winds. Movement of dunes over time at Herschel Crater was also investigated. The compiled wind direction results were then compared to an existing computer generated general circulation model of Martian surface winds. The results indicate that dune movement on a scale large enough to observe is not present. The comparison to a general circulation model indicates correlation only for the strongest winds of Martian southern hemisphere summer.