A simulation of saltation dynamics with application to terrestrial and Martian model surfaces.
The feasibility of predicting the saltation threshold from a dynamic model of the saltation process is demonstrated. The model is based on mechanical equations that describe the trajectories of particles (sand grains) near the ground-atmosphere interface. The equations of particle motion are formulated in terms of forces and moments. The forces employed are based on theoretical and experimental results obtained for continuum flow. Surface structuring analytics and simulated fluid turbulence further modify the particle behavior. The model is used to predict the threshold velocities on Mars.