Martian Dust Storms and Gravity Waves: Disentangling Water Transport to the Upper Atmosphere

Simulations with the Max Planck Institute Martian general circulation model for years 28 and 34 reveal details of water "pump" mechanism role gravity wave (GW) forcing. Water is advected to upper atmosphere mainly by upward branches meridional circulation: in low latitudes during equinoxes over south pole solstices. Molecular diffusion plays little transport middle across mesopause. GWs modulate temperature global dust storms, thus changing timing intensity transport. At equinoxes, they facilitate accumulation polar warming regions followed stronger upwelling equator. As equinoctial storms decay, tend accelerate reduction thermosphere. delay onset solstitial change globally averaged amount 10-25%.