Dust Devil – Swirling Columns Of Wind And Dust

This dust devil was photographed by the Opportunity rover, validating previous beliefs about this phenomenon on Mars. NASA constantly works on implementing new rovers equipped with their weather-resistant systems. On a smaller scale, the winds on Mars are just as dynamic. Dust devils (swirling, wind-and-dust-filled columns) are common, and their trails may cover vast distances.

In the middle of summer, these shapes on Mars are at their most active state. The tallest can reach around five miles above the Earth’s surface. They’re higher than the ones we’ll ever see on our planet. During the spring and summer, the northeastern region of the Amazonis Planitia, a smooth plain on Mars, has several similar formations.