Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Martian cave air-movement via Helmholtz resonance

October 1, 2017

Infrasonic resonance has previously been measured in terrestrial caves by other researchers, where Helmholtz resonance has been suggested as the plausible mechanism resulting in periodic wind reversals within cave entrances. We extend this reasoning to possible Martian caves, where we examine the characteristics of four atypical pit craters (APCs) on Tharsis, suggested as candidate cave entrance locations. The results show that, for several possible cave air movement periods, we are able to infer the approximate cave volumes. The utility of inferring cave volumes for planetary cave exploration is discussed.

Publication Year 2017
Title Martian cave air-movement via Helmholtz resonance
DOI 10.5038/1827-806X.46.3.2130
Authors Kaj E. Williams, Timothy N. Titus, Chris Okubo, Glen E. Cushing
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title International Journal of Speleology
Index ID 70191418
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Astrogeology Science Center