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Following the planet-encircling dust event (PEDE) of Mars Year (MY) 34,
MRO/HiRISE has seen many more candidate RSL than in typical Mars years.
They were imaged at more than 285 unique locations from August 2018 to
August 2019, 157 where RSL had not been seen previously. Of the
locations where RSL had been observed in the same season of prior Mars
years, 34 sites had more extensive RSL coverage than MY29-33; none had
less extensive RSL. 150 active RSL sites were identified in the southern
middle latitudes (SMLs) versus the 36/year average during MY28-33. RSL
are present on ~87% of the HiRISE images covering
steep, rocky slopes in the SML in southern summer of MY34, rather than
~40% as in prior years. Post-PEDE RSL are also present
over a wider combined range of latitude, slope aspect, and season than
in prior years. These RSL sites usually show evidence for recent dust
deposition. There are clear dust devil tracks in 54% of post-PEDE
images with RSL, and in 73% of such images in the SMLs and L=236°-360°
(late southern spring to the end of summer), where and when dust devils
are most active. The tracks indicate dust lifting, by several
mechanisms. We suggest that dust lifting processes on steep slopes may
initiate and sustain RSL formed from flows of dust (perhaps clumped)
and/or sand that is destabilized by dust movement. The otherwise
puzzling recurrence and year-to-year variability of RSL activity can be
at least partly explained by variable yearly dust fallout.
Title: N/A
Description:
Following the planet-encircling dust event (PEDE) of Mars Year (MY) 34,
MRO/HiRISE has seen many more candidate RSL than in typical Mars years.
They were imaged at more than 285 unique locations from August 2018 to
August 2019, 157 where RSL had not been seen previously.
Of the
locations where RSL had been observed in the same season of prior Mars
years, 34 sites had more extensive RSL coverage than MY29-33; none had
less extensive RSL.
150 active RSL sites were identified in the southern
middle latitudes (SMLs) versus the 36/year average during MY28-33.
RSL
are present on ~87% of the HiRISE images covering
steep, rocky slopes in the SML in southern summer of MY34, rather than
~40% as in prior years.
Post-PEDE RSL are also present
over a wider combined range of latitude, slope aspect, and season than
in prior years.
These RSL sites usually show evidence for recent dust
deposition.
There are clear dust devil tracks in 54% of post-PEDE
images with RSL, and in 73% of such images in the SMLs and L=236°-360°
(late southern spring to the end of summer), where and when dust devils
are most active.
The tracks indicate dust lifting, by several
mechanisms.
We suggest that dust lifting processes on steep slopes may
initiate and sustain RSL formed from flows of dust (perhaps clumped)
and/or sand that is destabilized by dust movement.
The otherwise
puzzling recurrence and year-to-year variability of RSL activity can be
at least partly explained by variable yearly dust fallout.

