Is the huge dust storm on Mars due to Global Warming?

Question

The storm is thousands of miles across and blocking out the sun.

Answer 1

For as long as we've been observing Mars it's had gigantic duststorms. Sometimes these envelop the the whole planet and can last for days or even months at a time.

In recent years some parts of Mars are beleived to have been warming, others have been cooling. We don't yet know but if it turns out that there's been more warming than cooling then this could trigger dust storms. Warming on Mars would melt the icy landscape, most notably in the polar regions. The ice on Mars isn't frozen water but frozen carbon dioxide. Releasing more gas into the thin Martian atmosphere would thicken it and a thicker atmosphere lends itself to the creation of dust storms. An interesting thing about Mars is that the atmosphere is so thin that a wind the speed of a hurrican would feel like a very gentle breeze.

These storms throw up huge amounts of particulate matter into the Martian atmosphere and create an effect similar to the greenhouse effect here on Earth in that it traps heat from the sun. This could lead to more ice melting which could lead to more dust storms, more melting, more storms etc etc

Answer 2

Hi:

When we refer to the globe we mean earth, the planet on which we llive, So global warming to us refers to temperature increases on earth and not on other planets. Climate changes on Earth do not impact anything outside of earth since earth is a stand-alone eco and thermal system.

Any dust storms on Mars are most likely caused by local changes to Mars environment and eco/thermal system.

Answer 3

Are dust storms on Earth due to Global Warming?

No.

The frequency may be affected, not the event itself.

Silly question.

Answer 4

Thanks for the NASA link for everyone to read. From what I understand watching other planets and their altering climate changes gives us a heads up what we can expect.
As to global warming something is causing drastic changes to the planet Earth. You can't dispute that. Look at Texas? The floods and horrible weather?
WHY are we so hung up on word's rather than facts and the guts of a story? Is it just another excuse to argue or distract us from reality that exists? I just don't know anymore.
I read NASA often. I wish others did too. Thank you.

Answer 5

No, but scientists suspect the dust storms actually cause warming on Mars.

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/2007/marswarming.html

Answer 6

We don't even understand what Global Warming is here on Earth. How are we going to get Mars climates right?

Answer 7

No it is due to the Martians massive effort to sweep up the mess earth travelers leave everytime there is a picnic up there.

Answer 8

of course, everything that is bad is caused by global warming. Your kids misbehaving? global warming! food not good at the restaurant last night? global warming! water pipe broke in your house? global warming! well you get the idea

Answer 9

No it's due to the fact that the Martians are finally moving to conquer the earth again after their failed attempt in the late 1800:)(haven't you ever read war of the worlds?)

Answer 10

If you buy into the pop science of Nancy Pelosi, it must be George Bush's fault!