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Mars Dune Digital Database Merged

Metadata Updated: January 21, 2026

The Mars Global Digital Dune Database provides a comprehensive and quantitative view of the geographic distribution of dune fields from 65° N to 65° S latitude. The database encompasses ~ 550 dune fields, covering ~ 70,000 km2, with an estimated total volume between 3,600 km3 and 13,400 km3. Over 2300 selected Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) infrared (IR), THEMIS visible (VIS) and Mars Orbiter Camera Narrow Angle (MOC NA) images were used to build the database and are included in the ArcMap and ArcReader versions of the database. An initial data set of THEMIS band 9 spectral range images covering orbits 816-9601 (spanning 02/2002 - 02/2004 and Ls = 0.085º-358.531º) and comprising more than 30,000 images was chosen as the basis for the construction of the database. This provided ~98% nighttime and ~75% daytime areal coverage of Mars planet-wide. Images containing dunes were identified using THV (Interactive THEMIS IR Viewer written in Research Systems Incorporated's (RSI) IDL® software at the USGS in Flagstaff (www.mars-ice.org)). The 100 m/pixel resolution THEMIS IR images were used to locate potential dune features. The higher resolution THEMIS VIS and MOC NA images were used to assign Earth-based dune classifications (McKee, 1979). Where image quality allowed, slipface measurements based on gross dune morphology were digitized to represent primary wind direction responsible for that morphology. Azimuth values were calculated, from crater centroid to dune centroid, for dune fields located within craters. These indicators of wind direction can be compared to the included NASA/Ames Mars general circulation model (GCM) output (Harberle et al., 1999).

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Created Date January 13, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 21, 2026

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date January 13, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 21, 2026
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/USGS_5f8a1d2e82ce324187893a97
Data Last Modified 2021-08-30T00:00:00Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:12
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://ddi.doi.gov/usgs-data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Datagov Dedupe Retained 20260120223735
Harvest Object Id 0bba1782-a4d1-412b-9376-9fd4e59bceb2
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -180.0, -81.5, -180.0, 85.5, 180.0, 85.5, 180.0, -81.5, -180.0, -81.5}
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash c19ac2d9fea5fb006c7007f0f96d76ea9343b36aac67da08f9be655d760856d9
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -180.0, -81.5, -180.0, 85.5, 180.0, 85.5, 180.0, -81.5, -180.0, -81.5}

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