Flow Associated With the Condensation and Sublimation of Polar Ice Caps on Mars.

Autor: Chow, Kim‐Chiu1 kcchow@must.edu.mo, Xiao, Jing1, Chan, Kwing L.1, Wong, Chi‐Fong1
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Zdroj: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Jun2019, Vol. 124 Issue 6, p1570-1580. 11p.
Abstrakt: The flow associated with the sublimation and condensation of carbon dioxide ice in the polar regions of Mars is an important part of the general circulation. However, so far the pattern of the flow is generally not well known. In this study, a Mars general circulation model (MarsWRF) has been applied to derive the pattern of this flow based on some specially designed experiments. The results suggest that the equatorward sublimation and the poleward condensation flows in both hemispheres are rather shallow except near the poles, and the strength of the sublimation flow is significantly stronger than the condensation flow in both hemispheres. The results also show that the strength of the sublimation and condensation flow in the southern hemisphere is much stronger than that in the northern hemisphere. During the summer time, the surface wind in the high‐latitude region near the pole could be dominated by the sublimation flow. Plain Language Summary: The flow associated with the sublimation and condensation of the carbon dioxide ice caps on Mars is important to the general wind pattern of Mars. However, there is generally no idea about the pattern of the flow. In this study, a numerical model that simulates the climate of Mars has been applied to derive the pattern of this flow, based on some specially designed experiments. The results suggest that the sublimation and condensation flows in both hemispheres are mainly near surface except over the poles, and the strength of the sublimation flow is significantly stronger than the condensation flow in both hemispheres. The results also show that the strength of the sublimation and condensation flow in the southern hemisphere is much stronger than that in the northern hemisphere. During the summer time, the surface wind in the high‐latitude region near the pole could be dominated by the sublimation flow. Key Points: The flow associated with the sublimation and condensation of the ice caps has been indirectly derived from numerical simulationsThe flow is generally near surface except over the polesThe associated surface winds are significant mainly in the midlatitude to high‐latitude regions in both hemispheres [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: GreenFILE
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