Winds, waves and shorelines from ancient martian seas

• Published in: Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962) N.Y. 1962), 2015-04, Vol.250, p.368-383
• Main Authors: Banfield, Don, Donelan, Mark, Cavaleri, Luigi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aeolian processes; Atmospheres, dynamics; Atmospheres, evolution; Atmospheric pressure; Barometric pressure; Criteria; Mars; Mars surface; Mars, atmosphere; Mars, climate; Salinity; Shorelines; Water waves
• ISSN: 0019-1035; 1090-2643
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.12.001

•Terrestrial wind-wave models were modified to represent ancient martian seas.•Models were validated against martian wind-tunnel wave-tank experiments.•Martian conditions for when waves can and cannot be formed were identified.•Wave-cut shorelines on Mars require minimum winds and pressures on early Mars. We consider under what environmental conditions water waves (and thus eventually shorelines) should be expected to be produced on hypothetical ancient martian seas and lakes. For winds and atmospheric pressures that are too small, no waves should be expected, and thus no shorelines. If the winds and atmospheric pressure are above some threshold, then waves can be formed, and shorelines are possible. We establish these criteria separating conditions under which waves will or will not form on an ancient martian open body of water. We consider not only atmospheric pressure and wind, but also temperature and salinity, but find these latter effects to be secondary. The normal criterion for the onset of water waves under terrestrial conditions is extended to recognize the greater atmospheric viscous boundary layer depth for low atmospheric pressures. We used terrestrial wave models to predict the wave environment expected for reasonable ranges of atmospheric pressure and wind for end-member cases of ocean salinity. These models were modified only to reflect the different fluids considered at Mars, the different martian surface gravity, and the varying atmospheric pressure, wind and fetch. The models were favorably validated against one another, and also against experiments conducted in a wave tank in a pressure controlled wind tunnel (NASA Ames MARSWIT). We conclude that if wave-cut shorelines can be confirmed on Mars, this can constrain the range of possible atmospheric pressures and wind speeds that could have existed when the open water was present on Mars.