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Rapid Expansion and Evolution of a Regional Dust Storm in the Acidalia Corridor During the Initial Growth Phase of the Martian Global Dust Storm of 2018
Author(s) -
Shirley J. H.,
Kleinböhl A.,
Kass D. M.,
Steele L. J.,
Heavens N. G.,
Suzuki S.,
Piqueux S.,
Schofield J. T.,
McCleese D. J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2019gl084317
Subject(s) - dust storm , mars exploration program , longitude , storm , atmospheric sciences , latitude , martian , atmosphere of mars , environmental science , altitude (triangle) , atmosphere (unit) , orbiter , climatology , geology , meteorology , astrobiology , geography , physics , oceanography , geodesy , geometry , mathematics , astronomy
A vigorous regional dust storm substantially altered both the global atmospheric thermal structure and the magnitude and spatial distribution of dust loading within the Mars atmosphere between 1 and 9 June 2018. We examine the development and decay of this storm in latitude, longitude, altitude, and time, employing observations by the Mars Climate Sounder on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Dust layer top altitudes rose from seasonal‐normal values of ~40 to ~70 km. Dust lofting to high altitudes was localized between 0° and ~60°W longitude, and between 60°N and 60°S latitude. Intensification of paired meridional overturning circulation cells within the study area is confirmed by strong nighttime dynamical heating in higher latitudes of both hemispheres. By the end of this episode, significant dust loading was present at altitudes greater than 50 km above all longitudes on Mars, and other dust lifting centers had been activated.