Work

When Barchan Dunes Move Over Craters

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the possible outcomes of a subaqueous barchan moving over a crater‐like depression in the bed. For that, we carried out experiments where we varied the dune size, crater and grain diameters, and flow velocities. We found that subaqueous barchans can be blocked, destroyed, or pass over craters, with transitional situations, and that strong instabilities take place under some conditions. Based on a dune‐crater size ratio and a modified Stokes number, we propose a map that classifies the different outcomes of interactions. If used with caution, the map can serve as a reference for understanding the much slower behavior of dunes migrating over or near craters on the surface of Mars.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl120187

Authors: P. V. R. Plácido, D. S. Borges, W. R. Assis, E. M. Franklin

Institutions: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), University of Duisburg-Essen, University of Minnesota

Language: English

Topic: Aeolian processes and effects

Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico