Where Dunes can be Found on Mars

[Equitorial Region Map]
[South Polar Region Map] [North Polar Region Map]

MGD3 is complete for the +65 to -65 portion of Mars. The distribution of the dunes can be seen in the above map of that region (top). The database is in progress for the -65 to -90 portion of Mars. The distribution of possible dunes is shown in the table below. Based on possible dunes, the total dune field area in the -65 to -90 area is estimated to be about 50,000 km2. The map of +65 to +90, above right, shows the possible location of dunes. An areal estimate of dune fields is not yet available for that region.

Latitudinal Region Number of Dune Fields % of Total Number of Dune Fields Area of Dune Fields (km2) % of Total Area
30° to 65° N 9 1.6 1507 2.2
0° to 30° N 36 6.6 5165 7.4
0° to 30° S 37 6.8 13,275 19.0
30° to 65° S 465 85.0 49,803 71.4
Total 547 100 69,750 100

The following table summarizes the geographic distribution of the dunes in the database, (+65 to -65) by latitudinal band. Remember that only moderate to large dune fields are included in this database. The distribution of smaller dune fields may not follow this pattern.
The following table summarizes the quantity of dune fields in craters by number of dune fields and by area of dune fields for the Latitudinal bands and for the Argyre, Hellas and Valles Marineris regions.

Latitudinal Region Number of Dune Fields Area of Dune Fields (km2) Number of Dune Fields in Craters Area of Dune Fields in Craters (km2) % of Dune Fields in Craters (by area)
0° to 30° S 37 13,275 17 4326 32.6
30° to 65° S 465 49,803 368 39,990 80.3
Argyre and surrounding rough terrain 47 5347 12 2453 45.9
Hellas and surrounding rough terrain 18 1310 2 87 6.6
Valles Marineris 20 8949 0 0 0