Interannual variability of Martian dust storms in assimilation of several years of Mars global surveyor observations

We study the interannual variability of dust storms on Mars in an assimilation of thermal profiles and dust opacity observations into a general circulation model for the Martian atmosphere. The observations have been provided by the thermal emission spectrometer aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft during the scientific mapping phase over more than two complete Martian years, which include three dusty seasons in southern spring. A comparison between dust seasons which are characterized only by regional storms and the global, planet-encircling dust storm of 2001 is performed, focusing on the meteorological conditions which can trigger the onset and development of the global storm, and its effects on the global circulation. (c) 2005 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.