The Dust Devils of Mars Could Pack a Seismic Punch

The Dust Devils of Mars Could Pack a Seismic Punch

~!!!~Dust devils are fairly common on Earth; they pop up on open plains and deserts and seem to have a life of their own// Spawned from a thin, heated layer of earth, tiny vortexes of air can spiral upward into the cooler layers creating often impressive mini~tornadoes// These whirlwinds can pick up dust and other small debris, carrying it high into the atmosphere//

~!!!~Though impressive on Earth, the undisputed king of dust devils is Mars// The Red Planet is constantly shaped by aeolian processes, and in many regions dust devils are a common occurrence// Indeed, recent studies have shown that Martian dust devils, which can reach as high as several miles, play a key atmospheric role in transporting fine particles of dust from the surface, injecting it high into the atmosphere// This **dust cycle** could have implications for the planet*s global climate// Also, these whirlwinds change the albedo of Mars* surface dark lanes of recently exposed regolith, or Mars **soil**, are often left in the dust devils* wake potentially altering the solar heating effect on the Martian surface, therefore impacting atmospheric temperatures//