Global warming and climate forcing by recent albedo changes on Mars

Lori K. Fenton (), Paul E. Geissler () and Robert M. Haberle
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Lori K. Fenton: Carl Sagan Center,
Paul E. Geissler: US Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001, USA
Robert M. Haberle: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA

Nature, 2007, vol. 446, issue 7136, 646-649

Abstract: Shadow dancing on Mars The surface albedo patterns on Mars, caused by local variation in the ratio of light reflected to light received, are constantly changing. A Mars global circulation model has been used to establish whether these changes contribute to climate change, and the answer is yes. Large swaths of the martian surface have darkened over the past three decades as they were swept free of dust. Climate modelling indicates that these changes caused elevated air temperatures, increased wind stresses and 'dust devil' production, creating a positive feedback loop between dust erosion and albedo. These conditions are consistent with observed polar cap erosion, and may even influence the triggering of large dust storms.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05718

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