Abstract
Transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) are poorly understood bedforms unique to the surface of Mars. While a range of TAR morphologies have been documented and described in the literature, there is confusion about some aspects of TAR formation and evolution. It is an open question as to whether different TAR morphologies represent disparate formative processes, or represent different evolutionary stages. Further, the relationship between the currently unclassified “feathered” TAR morphological form and other well-described morphologies is currently undocumented. Here, we apply geomorphometric techniques to TARs in Nirgal Vallis to show that more complex TAR morphologies evolve in multiple stages, and that feathered TARs are actually an intermediate morphology related to networked TARs. We identify feathered TARs as networked TARs precursors and propose that TAR-field complexity is the result of a progressive evolution from simpler TAR morphologies, rather than of multiple formative mechanisms.
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