| Name: | Anirban Mandal |
| Affiliation: | National Institute of Technology, Rourkela |
| Conference ID : | ASI2024_183 |
| Title : | An insight into the bedform migration on Mars: results from three tropical craters |
| Authors : | Anirban Mandal1, Anurag Sahu1, Jagabandhu Panda1, Satyaki Banerjee1 |
| Authors Affiliation: | 1 Anirban Mandal, Anurag Sahu, Jagabandhu Panda, Satyaki Banerjee Affiliation:Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha-769008, India |
| Mode of Presentation: | Poster |
| Abstract Category : | Sun, Solar System, Exoplanets, and Astrobiology |
| Abstract : | The Martian surface is continuously being modified through Aeolian processes. The changes due to these processes are generally reflected in different surface features, especially on bedforms. The factors influencing bedform migration across diverse regions of Mars have remained an interesting yet challenging topic of study. In this study, an attempt is made to advance the understanding of the sand movement on Mars under the current climatic conditions by studying the bedform migration at three tropical craters, namely the Gale crater, the Jezero crater, and the Pasteur crater. A study on the grain size distribution at Gale Crater reveals that the grains with smaller diameters (~50-150 μm) are more prone to migration and vice-versa, which gives an idea about the possible sites across the planet that can show bedform migration. The effect of dust-lifting on surface features is studied by analyzing Perseverance-MEDA observations in the Jezero crater. These events are found to involve in the redistribution of materials and, thereby, changing surface features on Mars. To detect the bedform migration in the Pasteur crater, several HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) images acquired over different time intervals were used. The changes in the ripple crest (~0.5-1m/year) and dune slip face suggest new grain flow events. Extensive change in black sand deposits near the dunes was also observed. The detected changes signify a widespread bedform migration in the Pasteur crater dominated by the easterly winds. |
