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J. Gawrych (San Jose State University), R. M. Haberle (NASA Ames Research Center), M. Malin, B. Cantor (Malin Space Science Systems), M. D. Smith (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Simulations were run on the NASA Ames Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM) using Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) dust opacity information. The TES dust information pertains to the 2001 Mars global dust storm that affected Mars beginning in June 2001 and lasted several months (Ls 180º – Ls 230º). Model results attempt to synthesize the results observed by Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) and TES in order to better understand the processes behind the formation and decay of global dust storms. Here we present an assessment on the role of atmospheric winds, temperature distributions, surface stresses and their role in the lifting and transporting of dust. The characteristics of the storm analyzed were the periodic dust pulses seen by MOC that push into the Hellas basin from the southwest, the explosive northward and eastward expansion from the Hellas basin, the development of new lifting centers in the northern hemisphere, the general eastward migration of the dust cloud, the continuous lifting and extensive duration of the Claritas/Tharsis storm, and the gradual decline in overall opacities. The working hypotheses are that traveling waves along the southern cap edge might be responsible for the dust pulses into Hellas, the diurnal thermal tide might be involved in the explosive initial expansion, stationary waves might be responsible for the southward push over the cap and also the development of the Claritas storm, and the mean meridional circulation may play a significant role in the eastward migration of the dust.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #4
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.