This image shows the rock called "Souffle".
Click on image for full size
Image from: NASA/JPL
Martian Surface Winds
On Mars the surface winds accelerate to higher speeds than those on
Earth. The general circulation pattern of winds is also very different from the
terrestrial circulation pattern. These winds can be whipped to an extreme during the frequent Martian
global dust storms.
Sand grains from the surface are picked up by the winds and accelerated to high speeds. This leads to a gouging and chipping effect which contributes toward sand erosion of the surface by wind. Because of Mars' lower gravity, the winds can more easily lift and carry sand particles. But the lower atmospheric pressure of Mars makes the motion of sand particles different than what would be expected on Earth. This makes the erosion of Martian rock a little different than on Earth.
The first weather measurements made from the surface of Mars were performed by the Mars Pathfinder mission. These measurements provided some real data about the strength of Martian winds. Features, found by the Mars Pathfinder lander provided plenty of evidence for sand erosion by wind.
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