Mars Dust Devils Surprise Scientists with Record Wind Speeds

New research has revealed that dust devils on Mars can reach wind speeds significantly higher than previously anticipated. Led by Dr. Valentin Bickel from the University of Bern, an international team of researchers has found that these whirlwinds can achieve speeds of up to 44 m/s, or approximately 160 km/h (about 100 mph). This discovery was published on October 8, 2025, in the journal Science Advances.

Dust devils, which form due to surface heating and changes in air pressure, are a common phenomenon on Mars. They function similarly to those on Earth, creating vertical columns of wind that pick up dust from the planet’s surface. Despite Mars having a very thin atmosphere—less than 1% that of Earth’s—its lower gravity enables these dust devils to grow larger than their terrestrial counterparts.

The study utilized images captured by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and the Mars Express spacecraft, employing advanced machine learning techniques to analyze over 50,000 satellite images. Bickel explained, “Using a state-of-the-art deep learning approach, we were able to identify dust devils in these images. Our study is therefore based exclusively on data from European Mars exploration.”

Researchers focused on stereo images from 300 identified dust devils to measure their movements and velocities. Prior studies indicated that Martian winds generally remain below 50 km/h (about 31 mph), with only rare instances reaching 100 km/h (approximately 62 mph). The new findings suggest that stronger winds contribute significantly to dust uplift, which has profound implications for the planet’s weather and climate systems.

Understanding these wind dynamics is critical for future Mars missions. Bickel noted, “By providing valuable data on Mars’ atmospheric dynamics, this study could help advance research into the formation of features like dunes and slope streaks, as well as climate models that predict changes in weather.” This insight will be essential for planning crewed missions to Mars anticipated in the coming decades.

Co-author Daniela Tirsch from the Institute of Space Research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) emphasized the importance of these findings for mission planning. “A better understanding of the wind conditions on Mars is crucial for the planning and execution of future landed missions. With the help of the new findings on wind dynamics, we can model the Martian atmosphere and the associated surface processes more precisely.”

The research team plans to continue their investigation into dust devils, aiming to enhance their findings through coordinated observations by TGO and Mars Express. This ongoing work will facilitate more efficient mission planning as humanity prepares for future exploration of the Red Planet.