Gravity Waves on Mars Found to Shape High-Altitude Air Currents
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2025 9:46 pm
A new study involving researchers from the University of Tokyo has revealed that atmospheric gravity waves play a critical role in shaping air circulation on Mars, particularly in the planet’s middle atmosphere at higher altitudes. Drawing from long-term datasets, the research offers new insights into Martian atmospheric dynamics and emphasizes key differences from Earth’s atmospheric behavior.
The study applied analytical techniques originally developed for Earth’s atmosphere to estimate how gravity waves influence Mars' global air circulation. These findings help refine our understanding of the Red Planet’s climate and may inform future mission planning as human exploration of Mars becomes increasingly feasible.
“Mars may be a cold planet, but it’s heating up in terms of research interest,” said Professor Kaoru Sato from the University of Tokyo’s Department of Earth and Planetary Science. “As we prepare for potential human missions, it’s essential to understand Martian atmospheric behavior, and gravity waves seem to play a surprisingly dominant role in how air moves on the planet.”
On Earth, large-scale atmospheric waves called Rossby waves—generated by the planet’s rotation—largely control stratospheric circulation. However, the study found that on Mars, it’s gravity waves (GWs) that dominate circulation at middle and high latitudes in the middle atmosphere. Unlike Rossby waves, GWs are small-scale fluctuations caused by the vertical oscillation of air parcels due to buoyancy changes, and are too fine to be observed directly, requiring indirect modeling.
To investigate these elusive waves, Sato and her team turned to the Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS), a comprehensive dataset compiled from years of space-based atmospheric observations. This allowed them to study seasonal shifts and vertical momentum transport in the Martian atmosphere.
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Graduate student Anzu Asumi, a member of the research team, noted, “We discovered that gravity waves help move angular momentum vertically at high speeds, significantly influencing north-south air currents in Mars’ middle atmosphere. Interestingly, this mirrors how Earth’s mesosphere behaves, more than our stratosphere. This suggests current Martian climate models might need to be adjusted to better account for gravity wave effects.”
The research highlights how comparative planetary science can yield fresh perspectives on atmospheric systems. Mars’ rotation and axial tilt are similar to Earth’s, making it an ideal candidate for studying global atmospheric circulation. Yet its thinner atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, and dramatic seasonal swings offer a contrasting environment that pushes existing models to evolve.
Looking ahead, the team aims to explore the role of Martian dust storms—immense weather events that significantly reshape the planet’s climate. “Our current analysis is based on data from years without major dust storms,” Sato explained. “But we believe these storms could amplify the influence of gravity waves. Understanding this could be key to forecasting Martian weather more accurately.”
As scientists continue to decode the complexities of Martian air currents, the dream of tuning in to a daily Martian weather report inches closer to reality. Future missions may rely heavily on these atmospheric insights to ensure the safety and success of crewed exploration on the Red Planet.
The study applied analytical techniques originally developed for Earth’s atmosphere to estimate how gravity waves influence Mars' global air circulation. These findings help refine our understanding of the Red Planet’s climate and may inform future mission planning as human exploration of Mars becomes increasingly feasible.
“Mars may be a cold planet, but it’s heating up in terms of research interest,” said Professor Kaoru Sato from the University of Tokyo’s Department of Earth and Planetary Science. “As we prepare for potential human missions, it’s essential to understand Martian atmospheric behavior, and gravity waves seem to play a surprisingly dominant role in how air moves on the planet.”
On Earth, large-scale atmospheric waves called Rossby waves—generated by the planet’s rotation—largely control stratospheric circulation. However, the study found that on Mars, it’s gravity waves (GWs) that dominate circulation at middle and high latitudes in the middle atmosphere. Unlike Rossby waves, GWs are small-scale fluctuations caused by the vertical oscillation of air parcels due to buoyancy changes, and are too fine to be observed directly, requiring indirect modeling.
To investigate these elusive waves, Sato and her team turned to the Ensemble Mars Atmosphere Reanalysis System (EMARS), a comprehensive dataset compiled from years of space-based atmospheric observations. This allowed them to study seasonal shifts and vertical momentum transport in the Martian atmosphere.
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Graduate student Anzu Asumi, a member of the research team, noted, “We discovered that gravity waves help move angular momentum vertically at high speeds, significantly influencing north-south air currents in Mars’ middle atmosphere. Interestingly, this mirrors how Earth’s mesosphere behaves, more than our stratosphere. This suggests current Martian climate models might need to be adjusted to better account for gravity wave effects.”
The research highlights how comparative planetary science can yield fresh perspectives on atmospheric systems. Mars’ rotation and axial tilt are similar to Earth’s, making it an ideal candidate for studying global atmospheric circulation. Yet its thinner atmosphere, composed mostly of carbon dioxide, and dramatic seasonal swings offer a contrasting environment that pushes existing models to evolve.
Looking ahead, the team aims to explore the role of Martian dust storms—immense weather events that significantly reshape the planet’s climate. “Our current analysis is based on data from years without major dust storms,” Sato explained. “But we believe these storms could amplify the influence of gravity waves. Understanding this could be key to forecasting Martian weather more accurately.”
As scientists continue to decode the complexities of Martian air currents, the dream of tuning in to a daily Martian weather report inches closer to reality. Future missions may rely heavily on these atmospheric insights to ensure the safety and success of crewed exploration on the Red Planet.