Transverse aeolian ridges

Transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) are visually bright features commonly found in topographic depressions on Mars.

[1][2][3] These small-scale and relict bedforms were first seen in narrow-angle images from the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)[2][3] and were called “ridges” to preserve both dunes and ripples as formative mechanisms.

[2][3] While TARs are widespread on Mars, their formation, age, composition, and role in past Martian sediment cycles remain poorly constrained.

[10][11][12][13] Wind ripples by comparison are small (amplitudes of 0.6 - 15 mm[14][15][16][17]), are more symmetrical in profile, and are created by saltating and reptating sand grains that tend for form a regular pattern of impact and shadow zones.

[38] In turn, these inferences could have further insights into past wind patterns, atmospheric compositions, and climatic dynamics generally on Mars.