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A Decrease in Slope Angles on Insolated Martian Slopes: Ground-based Experiments

delete2025-08-22
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Tetyana Bila
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Gerhard Wurm
DOI:10.3847/PSJ/adee93delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Dry granular flow on Martian slopes can benefit from subsoil Knudsen compressors induced by thermal creep gas flow. The required temperature gradient for this natural compressor can be set by insolation. Here, we study the decrease of slope angles from the initial angles of repose on ambient pressure in ground-based laboratory experiments. At low pressure, we pour JSC Mars 1a particles with an average grain size of 75 μm as a Martian simulant to form a pile. Typical angles of repose are about 30°, with some variation. One side of the pile is then illuminated. We find that up to 100 mbar, the illumination of the slope induces erosion and decreases the slope angle systematically. For continuous illumination at high light flux, necessary under Earth gravity, the angle decreases by about 10°. If the light source is turned off, amplified emission of material is triggered, which can further lower the slope angle. This study complements low-gravity work and suggests that the effects are important for granular flows of sand-sized particles on Martian slopes throughout the planet’s pressure range, i.e., independent of the specific location. A preliminary analysis shows that such a process could work for recurring slope lineae.

Journal

Planetary Science Journal cover
Planetary Science Journal
IF:
4.3
Papers:
1.3K
Citations:
3.8K

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Cited Papers

Cited Papers

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Dust ejection from planetary bodies by temperature gradients: Laboratory experiments
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errMadeleine, J. -B.; Forget, F.; Millour, E.; Montabone, L.; Wolff, M. J.
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The Mars Climate Database (Version 6.1)
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errEhouarn Millour; Francois Forget; Aymeric Spiga; Thomas Pierron; Antoine Bierjon; Luca Montabone; Margaux Vals; Franck Lefèvre; Jean-Yves Chaufray; Miguel Lopez-Valverde; Francisco Gonzalez-Galindo; Stephen Lewis; Peter Read; Marie-Christine Desjean; Fabrice Cipriani
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err2020-03-02
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errOliver Macho; Karin Demková; Ľudmila Gabrišová; Matúš Čierny; Jitka Mužíková; Paulína Galbavá; Žofia Nižnanská; Jaroslav Blaško; Peter Peciar; Roman Fekete; Marián Peciar
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Planet-wide sand motion on Mars
err2011-11-14
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PREAI
errN. T. Bridges; M. C. Bourke; P. E. Geissler; M. E. Banks; C. Colon; S. Diniega; M. P. Golombek; C. J. Hansen; S. Mattson; A. S. McEwen; M. T. Mellon; N. Stantzos; B. J. Thomson
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Seasonal Flows on Warm Martian Slopes
err2011-08-05
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PREAI
errAlfred S. McEwen; Lujendra Ojha; Colin M. Dundas; Sarah S. Mattson; Shane Byrne; James J. Wray; Selby C. Cull; Scott L. Murchie; Nicolas Thomas; Virginia C. Gulick
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