Gravity's effect on landslides: A strike against Martian water
Thursday, December 22, 2011 - 17:30
in Astronomy & Space
A pile of sand, gravel, or other granular material takes on a familiar conical shape, with the slope of the pile's walls coming to rest at the static angle of repose. If the material exceeds this angle, it will trigger an avalanche, tumbling down until it comes to rest at the dynamic angle of repose.