The impact of resolution on the dynamics of the martian global atmosphere: Varying resolution studies with the MarsWRF GCM

Toigo, A. D.; Lee, Christopher; Newman, C. E.; Richardson, M. I.

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2012.07.020

Cited by 109 publications

(126 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Atmospheric models on various scales show that the circulation at Nili Patera is dominated by a combination of the tropicalmean overturning ('Hadley') circulation, thermal tides and slope flows associated with the dichotomy boundary and the Isidis basin [28][29][30][31] . Nili Patera is located roughly 9°N of the equator within the seasonally reversing Hadley circulation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our numerical modelling of the wind field uses the MarsWeather Research and Forecast (WRF) system 30,32 , a Fig. 1), which suggests that the winds captured by the O[120 km] simulation dominate even in the presence of more local flows.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The MarsWRF model 30,32 was run at 2°global grid spacing, with four levels of interactive nests used to increase the resolution over the Nili Patera region. Each embedded domain contained 120 Â 120 grid points, and had a factor of 3 refinement of the grid (that is, produced a threefold increase in resolution), resulting in a grid spacing of B1.5 km in the innermost nest, centred on the Nili Patera caldera.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MarsWRF, as run for this study, used surface boundary conditions from the 1/64th degree MOLA topographic map, 1/2 degree MOLA roughness map and albedo and thermal inertia maps 30 derived from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS-TES). The simulation used the two-stream k-distribution radiative transfer model, treating CO 2 and dust radiative heating 37 and the MRFPBL boundary layer scheme.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The model includes a full carbon dioxide cycle that produces roughly 30% variation of atmospheric mass over a MY. The cycle is calibrated with respect to the multi-year Viking lander pressure data sets 30 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Threshold for sand mobility on Mars calibrated from seasonal variations of sand flux

et al. 2014

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Coupling between surface winds and saltation is a fundamental factor governing geological activity and climate on Mars. Saltation of sand is crucial for both erosion of the surface and dust lifting into the atmosphere. Wind tunnel experiments along with measurements from surface meteorology stations and modelling of wind speeds suggest that winds should only rarely move sand on Mars. However, evidence for currently active dune migration has recently accumulated. Crucially, the frequency of sand-moving events and the implied threshold wind stresses for saltation have remained unknown. Here we present detailed measurements of Nili Patera dune field based on High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment images, demonstrating that sand motion occurs daily throughout much of the year and that the resulting sand flux is strongly seasonal. Analysis of the seasonal sand flux variation suggests an effective threshold for sand motion for application to large-scale model wind fields (1-100 km scale) of t s ¼ 0.01±0.0015 N m À 2 .

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Threshold for sand mobility on Mars calibrated from seasonal variations of sand flux

et al. 2014

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Thermal tides during the 2001 Martian global‐scale dust storm

et al. 2014

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Using observations from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer onboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and MarsWRF general circulation model simulations, we examine the changes to thermal tides and planetary waves caused by the storm. We find that the extratropical diurnal migrating tide is dramatically enhanced during the storm, particularly in the southern hemisphere, reaching amplitudes of more than 20 K. The tropical diurnal migrating tide is weakened to almost undetectable levels. The diurnal Kelvin waves are also significantly weakened, particularly during the period of global expansion at L s = 200°-210°. In contrast, the westward propagating diurnal wavenumber 2 tide strengthens to 4-8 K at altitudes above 30 km. The wavenumber 1 stationary wave reaches amplitudes of 10-12 K at 50°-70°N, far larger than is typically seen during this time of year. The phase of this stationary wave and the enhancement of the diurnal wavenumber 2 tide appear to be responses to the high-altitude westward propagating equatorial wavenumber 1 structure in dust mixing ratio observed during the storm in previous works. This work provides a global picture of dust storm wave dynamics that reveals the coupling between the tropics and high-latitude wave responses. We conclude that the zonal distribution of thermotidal forcing from atmospheric aerosol concentration is as important to understanding the atmospheric wave response as the total global mean aerosol optical depth.

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The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest

et al. 2014

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Ventifacts, rocks abraded by wind-borne particles, are found in Gale Crater, Mars. In the eastward drive from "Bradbury Landing" to "Rocknest," they account for about half of the float and outcrop seen by Curiosity's cameras. Many are faceted and exhibit abrasion textures found at a range of scales, from submillimeter lineations to centimeter-scale facets, scallops, flutes, and grooves. The drive path geometry in the first 100 sols of the mission emphasized the identification of abrasion facets and textures formed by westerly flow. This upwind direction is inconsistent with predictions based on models and the orientation of regional dunes, suggesting that these ventifact features formed from very rare high-speed winds. The absence of active sand and evidence for deflation in the area indicates that most of the ventifacts are fossil features experiencing little abrasion today.

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The impact of resolution on the dynamics of the martian global atmosphere: Varying resolution studies with the MarsWRF GCM

Cited by 109 publications

References 44 publications

Threshold for sand mobility on Mars calibrated from seasonal variations of sand flux

Threshold for sand mobility on Mars calibrated from seasonal variations of sand flux

Thermal tides during the 2001 Martian global‐scale dust storm

The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest

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