An international team of researchers, spearheaded by the University of Bern, has discovered that the winds on Mars are significantly stronger than previously believed. Their findings, based on images captured by the Mars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the stereo camera HRSC, indicate that dust devils on the planet can achieve faster speeds than expected.
Dust devils, which are common on Mars, are short-lived whirlwinds that arise due to surface heating. This process causes fluctuations in air pressure, resulting in the formation of a vertical column of wind. As this column draws in surrounding air, it creates a vortex that lifts dust particles, transporting them across the Martian surface. Despite the extremely thin atmosphere of Mars, which is less than 1% of Earth”s, the planet”s lower gravity allows these dust devils to grow larger than those observed on Earth.
Led by Dr. Valentin Bickel from the Center for Space and Habitability at the University of Bern, the research team included scientists from the university”s Space Research and Planetary Sciences department, the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research at the Open University, and the Institute of Planetary Research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Their research article was published on October 8, 2025, in the journal Science Advances.
The presence of dust devils and dust storms is critical to understanding the atmospheric dynamics of Mars, playing a key role in the distribution of dust across the planet”s surface. While robotic missions have limitations in visually monitoring winds, dust devils serve as essential indicators for researchers studying wind patterns. This aligns with the scientific objectives of the European Space Agency”s Mars Express and TGO missions, which have been investigating the Martian environment since 2003 and 2016, respectively.
To conduct their study, the research team analyzed over 50,000 satellite images using advanced machine learning techniques. “By employing a cutting-edge deep learning approach, we successfully identified dust devils in these images,” Bickel said in a press release from the University of Bern. “Our research is entirely based on data gathered from European Mars exploration.” The team then reviewed stereo images from 300 identified dust devils, sequencing them to measure their movements and wind velocities.
The results indicate that dust devils and their associated winds can reach speeds of up to 44 m/s (approximately 160 km/h or 100 mph), which is much faster than earlier estimates. Prior data suggested that Martian winds typically remain below 50 km/h, with rare instances reaching up to 100 km/h. These stronger winds are likely responsible for significant dust uplift, which profoundly affects Mars” weather and climate.
Bickel emphasized, “By providing valuable insights into Mars” atmospheric dynamics, our study could enhance research across various fields, including the formation of geological features like dunes and slope streaks, as well as improving climate models that predict seasonal weather changes.” This research is particularly pertinent as future crewed missions to Mars are planned for the coming decades, as understanding wind conditions will help mission planners assess potential risks to equipment and crews.
Co-author Daniela Tirsch from the DLR”s Institute of Space Research noted, “A comprehensive understanding of the wind conditions on Mars is vital for the planning and execution of future landed missions. With the new insights into wind dynamics, we can create more precise models of the Martian atmosphere and its surface processes.”
The research team aims to continue their investigation of dust devils, utilizing coordinated observations from CaSSIS and HRSC to enhance the efficiency of mission planning in the future.
