Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Wind erosion at Endurance Crater

Crater asymmetry

I thought that the substantial crater asymmetry, cliffs on one side, and slopes on the other, was mostly due to impact inclination. Your wind theory is intriguing. I certainly don't doubt that the wind flows up along the (upwind?) crater slopes, but for there to be so much asymmetry, the wind would have to mostly be in the direction of the cliffs (either to or from, I don't know enough of turbulent flow modes at low pressure, but I guess the wind direction would be toward the cliffs). However, there are pronounced cliffs in two quadrants of the crater. These seem to have more cross bedding, and even look like dune sediments in some places like the banded, rather sloping "Burns Cliff". I had wondered also if this was an indication of different rock types on different sides of the crater. What are your views on the impact trajectory/wind erosion/rock inhomogeneity issues governing resultant crater morphology?

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (10 posts)