Transverse aeolian ridges

Transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) are a type of sand ridge on Mars and are one of the most common landforms on Mars.[1] They are mid-way in height between dunes and ripples; they are not well understood. One possible mechanism for their formation is that larger grains like pebbles are rolled on top of smaller ripples; then, finer dust settles into the cracks, making the TAR larger than typical ripples.[2]

TARs are often seen in low places like valley floors. Currently, they are not moving. TARs are most common near the equator.[3][4]

The term "transverse aeolian ridge", or "TAR" was first used by M. Bourke et al. in 2003.[5]

Gallery

References

  1. Berman, Daniel C.; Balme, Matthew R. (2012). "Investigations of transverse aeolian ridges on Mars" (PDF) (conference paper). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
  2. http://www.uahirise.org/ESP_042625_1655
  3. Runyon, Kirby (4 February 2015). "Yardangs in Arsinoes Chaos". HiRISE. The University of Arizona.
  4. Berman, Daniel C.; Balme, Matthew R.; Rafkin, Scot C.R.; Zimbelman, James R. "Transverse Aeolian Ridges (TARs) on Mars II: Distributions, orientations and ages". Icarus 213 (1): 116–130. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2011.02.014.
  5. Bourke, M. C.; Wilson, S. A.; Zimbelman, J. R. (2003). "The variability of transverse aeolian ridges in troughs on Mars" (PDF) (conference paper). Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, November 26, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.