Topographic and Geological Factors Affecting Martian Transverse Aeolian Ridges: A Multi-Source Remote Sensing Analysis of Morphology and Local Sediment Provenance

Transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) on Mars exhibit distinct characteristics relative to other aeolian features, yet their formation and evolutionary mechanisms remain unclear. A comprehensive investigation of TAR's distribution, morphology, composition, and environmental influences is critical for advancing our understanding of their development and implications for Martian climatic history. This research leverages multi-source orbital remote sensing data to explore TARs across various Martian regions and quantify the hierarchical controls of regional environment on TAR characteristics. High-resolution orbital images were employed to extract and quantify TAR parameters (area ratio, width, and length) for 33,946 identified TARs across six study areas. Results demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r > 0.9) between TAR area ratio and elevation/roughness, with a weaker correlation (r < 0.5) to slope, particularly when the area ratio exceeds 0.6, indicating that steep slopes act as a limiting threshold that inhibits TAR clustering. Morphologically, TAR width exhibits stronger linearity with topography (r > 0.759) than length (r > 0.588); the correlation for length diminishes notably as length increases, suggesting that topographic obstacles (roughness) physically fragment TAR continuity. Spectral analyses, validated by laboratory standard spectra (RELAB), identify diverse minerals (including olivine, hematite, and chlorides) that match local bedrock compositions. These findings confirm the predominantly local provenance of TAR sediments and highlight that regional variations in TAR characteristics are intrinsically driven by distinct geological evolution histories.