Thanks to an excellent article on the BLDGBLOG, I’ve learnt all about ventifacts
‘geologic formations shaped by the forces of wind’
Not much on the web about this, it is ripe for a nice flash animation of the process.
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3 comments
Posted in Extreme Environments, Resources
Written on Sat, 26 August 2006 at 10:56 pm
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August 28th, 2006 at 3:23 am
Ventifacts? amazing, is that what the word is for all those blasted rocks on mars. I explore caves and you often find ice formations where the direction of the air current, no matter how subtle can be ascertained by the crystal growth eg. hoar frostr always grows into the breeze.
August 28th, 2006 at 9:46 am
I think so Mick, I’m currently doing some research on these features, because it hasn’t really been an area of interest. I do know that they are a common feature of desert landscapes. Yeap, I think you’re right about ventifacts on Mars, there are a number of sites with photos.
Tony
August 28th, 2006 at 9:49 am
Sort paper on ventifacts from Nasa here
Nasa Paper