Back to slide index
Previous | Next
Back to introduction

5. Tornado Tracks
SECTION 1. AEOLIAN ACTIVITY
5.
Tornado Tracks

Tornados may also occur on Mars, although none have been directly observed. In certain seasons and certain latitudes, however, long dark streaks appear that are similar to tracks terrestrial tornados leave on the ground. Presumably the tornado removes a thin layer of bright, fine material revealing a darker, coarser substrate, much in the way dark streaks (next section) are thought to form. Dust deposition then gradually obliterates the streaks. Numerous such streaks are shown in this view, along with large unresolved sand dune deposits (the dark splotches in the craters).

Location: Latitude -49°, Longitude 328°, east of Hellas Planitia. Viking photograph 510A46, NGF orthographic version, red filter.

Click here to view a high-resolution version of the image (2.12 MB)



Back to slide index
Previous | Next
Back to introduction