How are Martian dust devils described in relation to terrestrial phenomena?
Answer
Whirling columns of dust spinning like miniature tornadoes
Dust devils on Mars are observed as localized manifestations of the pervasive dust activity. They are characterized as whirling columns composed entirely of dry, reddish particles. This visual phenomenon is explicitly compared to miniature tornadoes found on Earth, although the Martian versions are strictly related to the churning of the dry, fine surface layer in the thin atmosphere. Their ability to form and spin rapidly is linked to the very fine grain size of the Martian regolith, which is easily lofted by modest winds, contrasting sharply with the more complex formation requirements of large terrestrial tornadoes.
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