The Planetary Science Journal (Jan 2023)
Aerodynamic Roughness Height of Gravel-covered Plains in the Puna of Argentina
Abstract
Plains covered by gravel-dominated desert pavement in the Puna of Argentina have an aerodynamic roughness height (or length) z _0 of ∼1 cm, likely representing a skimming flow regime above the closely spaced gravel particles. Aerodynamic roughness height locally may transition from that of skimming flow over the gravels to a z _0 that includes the effects of obstacles considerably larger than those of the gravel particles alone. Among large (>60 cm tall) megaripples, z _0 is elevated beyond that of the gravels alone to values of 2–4 cm. These results represent an analog for an improved understanding of the aerodynamics of gravel-dominated desert pavement and megaripples documented by multiple rovers on Mars.
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