Evolution of North Polar Dunes (ctx frame - natural colors; credits: Lunexit)

This small unnamed crater is adjacent to the North Polar Erg and contains a fascinating Dunefield. Scientists are interested in the source of the dunes in the crater and the evolution of the Dunefield’s circular shape.

Wind transports material and shapes the dunes; the dominant wind comes from a Westerly-SouthWesterly direction and forms barchans (crescent-shaped) and barchanoid dunes. Secondary winds also play a role in shaping the dunes.
This can be seen in the Southern part of the Dunefield where the barchans transition into transverse dunes. On the northern edge of the dune field are opposite facing barchans formed by winds from the North-East.