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    Quantified Aeolian dune changes on Mars derived from repeat context camera images

    Davis, Joel and Grindrod, Peter and Boazman, S.J. and Vermeesch, P. and Baird, T. (2020) Quantified Aeolian dune changes on Mars derived from repeat context camera images. Earth and Space Sciencs 7 (2), e2019EA000874. ISSN 2333-5084.

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    Abstract

    Aeolian systems are active across much of the surface of Mars and quantifying the activity of bedforms is important for understanding the modern and recent Martian environment. Recently, the migration rates and sand fluxes of dunes and ripples have been precisely measured using repeat High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images. However, the limited areal extent of HiRISE coverage means that only a small area can be targeted for repeat coverage. Context Camera (CTX) images, although lower in spatial resolution, have wider spatial coverage, meaning that dune migration can potentially be monitored over larger areas. We used time series, coregistered CTX images and digital elevation models to measure dune migration rates and sand fluxes at six sites: Nili Patera, Meroe Patera, two sites at Herschel crater, McLaughlin crater, and Hellespontus Montes. We observed dune displacement in the CTX images over long-term baselines (7.5–11 Earth years; 4–6 Mars years). Bedform activity has previously been measured at all these sites using HiRISE, which we used to validate our results. Our dune migration rates (0.2–1.1 m/EY) and sand fluxes (2.4–11.6 m3 m−1 EY−1) compare well to measurements made with HiRISE. The use of CTX in monitoring dune migration has advantages (wider spatial coverage, faster processing time) and disadvantages (ripples not resolved, digital elevation model dune heights may be underestimates); the future combined use of HiRISE and CTX is likely to be beneficial.

    Metadata

    Item Type: Article
    School: Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Natural Sciences
    Depositing User: Joel Davis
    Date Deposited: 28 Nov 2022 17:01
    Last Modified: 02 Aug 2023 18:19
    URI: https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/49984

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