Martian dunes have little in common with Earth’s. However, they do have one unique feature—they are almost motionless due to the lack of wind and other natural factors. Martian dunes reach heights of about six meters. To shift such a dune by just two or three meters, it takes roughly 1,000 years. Meanwhile, the formation of a bimodal dune, shaped by perpendicular winds, can take 50,000 years or more. Bradbury never imagined it: a remarkable discovery on Mars. As for their appearance, dunes can take various forms, just as on Earth—from simple crescents to more intricate, complex patterns. Unlike Earth’s dunes, which are elongated and narrow, Martian dunes tend to be more rounded in shape.
