For the first time, scientists have observed that 'megaripples' on Mars – huge sand waves seen on the Martian surface – are moving structures, and not ancient relics stuck in place since the Red Planet's distant past.
Sand dunes and ripples are typical features of deserts on Earth and Mars. Megaripples are distinguished from smaller ripples by the coarser sand grains that gather at their crests and their larger size: the ripples range from 30 centimeters (1 foot) to tens of meters across.
This video shows movement of Martian megaripples in several locations on the Red Planet. You can see the slight change in the ripples’ position over the course of seven to ten years.
Read the original research study here: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2020JE006446
Sand dunes and ripples are typical features of deserts on Earth and Mars. Megaripples are distinguished from smaller ripples by the coarser sand grains that gather at their crests and their larger size: the ripples range from 30 centimeters (1 foot) to tens of meters across.
This video shows movement of Martian megaripples in several locations on the Red Planet. You can see the slight change in the ripples’ position over the course of seven to ten years.
Read the original research study here: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2020JE006446