Dust devils and erosion on the valley floors of Mamers Valles on Mars
Dust devils and erosion on the valley floors of Mamers Valles on Mars
In the mouth region of Mamers Valles, air masses rise due to the large temperature differences between freezing nights, above-zero temperatures in the morning and afternoon highs. Their vertical current gives rise to small 'dust devils' – visible in the image as small bright spots with a shadow. These whirlwinds pick up dust from the ground and carry it for kilometres. Indentations in the surrounding mesas indicate headward erosion along the edges of the terrain.