Aerodynamic Roughness Height of Gravel-covered Plains in the Puna of Argentina

Plains covered by gravel-dominated desert pavement in the Puna of Argentina have an aerodynamic roughness height (or length) z (0) of similar to 1 cm, likely representing a skimming flow regime above the closely spaced gravel particles. Aerodynamic roughness height locally may transition from that of skimming flow over the gravels to a z (0) that includes the effects of obstacles considerably larger than those of the gravel particles alone. Among large (>60 cm tall) megaripples, z (0) is elevated beyond that of the gravels alone to values of 2-4 cm. These results represent an analog for an improved understanding of the aerodynamics of gravel-dominated desert pavement and megaripples documented by multiple rovers on Mars.

Automated summary

Plains covered by gravel-dominated desert pavement in the Puna of Argentina have a aerodynamic roughness height (or length) of about 1 cm, representing a skimming flow regime. In the megaripples larger than 60 cm tall, the aerodynamic roughness height is elevated to values of 2-4 cm. These findings help improve our understanding of the aerodynamics of desert pavements and megaripples on Mars, as observed by multiple rovers.