Mars occasionally develops enormous dust storms when local and regional winds lift fine dust that is then carried, heated and redistributed through its atmosphere. Some events expand into planet-encircling storms, but they do not literally cover every square mile of the planet at once.
How a dust storm begins
Fine loose particles cover many Martian landscapes. Surface winds, local heating and atmospheric turbulence can lift dust into the air. As airborne particles absorb and scatter sunlight, they alter heating patterns and pressure differences in the atmosphere, potentially affecting winds that lift and move still more dust.
Why some storms spread so far
NASA describes a feedback between dust, atmospheric temperature and circulation. Wind can carry suspended particles across great distances, and separate regional disturbances may grow or interact. Scientists still study why only some dust storms expand dramatically while many others remain local and fade.
What happened during the 2018 storm?
NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected a major developing storm on May 30, 2018. By June 12 it affected about one-quarter of Mars; NASA classified it as planet-encircling on June 19. The storm reduced sunlight available to the solar-powered Opportunity rover, which could not continue normal operations during the event.
What a rover would see on the surface
A strong storm can turn daylight dim and reddish, with the distant horizon obscured by airborne dust. This is not the same as a giant tornado sweeping across all of Mars. Dust can remain suspended for weeks or longer, while regional winds and atmospheric conditions determine local intensity.
Why solar rovers are especially vulnerable
Solar panels need sunlight to generate electrical power. Heavy airborne dust makes the sky opaque and can leave some additional deposits on panels. A rover powered by a different energy source may operate through darker skies, though its instruments and operations can still be affected by weather.
When dust settles
Once atmospheric lifting weakens, particles eventually fall back toward the surface. Wind and gravity redistribute dust over time. Orbital images reveal changing brightness and surface patterns as particles are lifted and deposited.
FAQ
Are there thunderstorms with lightning on Mars?
Martian dust activity is not equivalent to a rainy Earth thunderstorm. Electrical effects in dust are a research topic, but water rain clouds are not what drives these large events.
Does every Mars year have a planet-wide storm?
No. Local and regional dust activity is common, while major planet-encircling events occur irregularly.
Can dust storms completely hide the Sun?
They can greatly dim and redden sunlight. The amount of remaining illumination varies with dust concentration, location and time.
Sources and related reading
NASA’s 2018 storm timeline documents May and June 2018 milestones. Read NASA’s dust-cycle explanation and Wondelique’s why Mars’s daytime sky looks orange.
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