A Model of a Martian Great Dust Storm

Abstract

The great Martian 1971 dust storm is described using Carrier's (1971) model of a terrestrial hurricane with a somewhat modified thermodynamic drive. The model predicts the course of development and the time elapsing in three different phases: growth, maturity, decay. All the predictions correspond reasonably well to the observed phenomena. Explanations are offered for the rarity of the storms and the time of year and location at which they most commonly commence.