Modeling surface gravity waves on a schematized ancient lake on Mars

This data release provides a wave model application and wave parameters derived from simulations of a schematized ancient lake on Mars. The phase-averaged wave model, SWAN, was applied within the Delft3D modeling system (Deltares, 2018) with reduced gravity and a range of atmospheric densities and wind speeds to simulate potential conditions that could generate wind waves on Mars. Wave modeling presented in this data release was combined with analysis of sedimentary structures observed in imagery collected by the Mars rover Curiosity to determine whether four examples of symmetrical, reversing, or straight-crested bedforms in Gale Crater sandstones are preserved wave ripples (Rubin and others, 2022). The presence of wave ripples would signify that ice-free liquid water was present on the surface of Mars in the past. Digital files containing model input and output files as well as tabulated wave parameters from the simulations are provided in the Child Items listed below.