Patterns in Mobility and Modification of Middle- and High-Latitude Southern Hemisphere Dunes on Mars

Abstract

Change detection analyses of aeolian bedforms (dunes and ripples), using multitemporal images acquired by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), can reveal migration of bedforms on Mars. Here we investigated bedform mobility (evidence of wind-driven migration or activity), from analysis of HiRISE temporal image pairs, and dune field modification (i.e., apparent presence/lack of changes or degradation due to nonaeolian processes) through use of a dune stability index or SI (1–6; higher numbers indicating increasing evidence of stability/modification). Combining mobility data and SI for 70 dune fields south of 40°S latitude, we observed a clear trend of decreasing bedformmobility with increasing SI and latitude. Both dunes and ripples were more commonly active at lower latitudes, although some high-latitude ripples are migrating. Most dune fields with lower SIs (≤3) were found to be active while those with higher SIs were primarily found to be inactive. A shift in prevalence of active to apparently inactive bedforms and to dune fields with SI ≥ 2 occurs at ~60°S latitude, coincident with the edge of high concentrations ofH2O-equivalent hydrogen observed by the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer. This result is consistent with previous studies suggesting that stabilizing agents, such as ground ice, likely stabilize bedforms and limit sediment availability. Observations of active dune fields with morphologies indicative of stability (i.e., migrating ripples in SI = 3 dune fields) may have implications for episodic phases of reworking or dune building, and possibly geologically recent activation or stabilization corresponding to shifts in climate.