Are there dust storms on mars

Martian dust storms can spread across the whole planet and envelope it in darkness. For a long time, planetary scientists have known that those behemoth storms were responsible for wicking away the planet's water. But Mars was once a lush world, oceans and all, and the large dust storms can't explain the full magnitude of Mars' water loss. According to new research, smaller local dust storms, too, are drying out the Red Planet as well.

Regional dust storms toy with water vapor in the Martian atmosphere, warming it up and slowing its transition to water. How did Mars and its moons get their names? Who discovered Mars? Is there really a giant canyon on Mars?

When did the first robot rover go to Mars? Is there life on Mars? What is the temperature on Mars? Can we breathe on Mars? Does Mars have an atmosphere? Is there water on Mars? Reduction in UV levels is also a factor for dust devils along with pressure, said the researchers. The study found that local summer time witnessed more prominent activity of dust devils. The experts said the dust devil may be accompanied by lightning in these storms, a phenomenon very similar to lightning in clouds over Earth.

Prof Sheel said that the dust devils on Mars could be huge, have wind speed of about 3 to 5 times higher than those on Earth, and show that the planet is alive.