How do debris flows and other mass movements work on other planets? And how do these hillslope hazards change the landscape?
I am a broadly interested Earth scientist that ended up studying surface processes on various planets in our Solar System. I am interested in how sediments are moved through landscapes, how various climatic and geological processes interact, and how landforms and sedimentary deposits can be used to tell us something about the past and inform us about the future.
Current Research focus: planetary geomorphology, hillslope processes, debris flows on Earth and other planets (e.g. Mars)
I aim to unravel the dynamics of debris flows and other mass movements on Mars, Earth, and on other bodies in our solar system. I try to understand how these powerfull hillslope processes are initiated, work under different planetary conditions, and change landscapes over time. On Earth, debris flows are driven by water but on Mars, they are driven by gasses (like CO2). Ultimately, a better understanding of debris flows and mass movements will help us with hazard prediction on Earth under a changing climate and will help us reconstruct the geological and climatic history of Mars and other planetary bodies in our solar system.
Unexpected discoveries:
While studying large scale gully landforms on Mars, I got intrigued by smaller sinuous gullies on the Martian dunes. Our experiments under Martian atmosphere show that these specific gullies are dug by burrowing blocks of CO2 ice:
Ongoing work:
In my current project I aim to determine how gravity influence the dynamics of debris flows and rock avalanches on various planets. A better understanding of the mechanics behind hillslope processes on other planets helps us make better reconstructions of present and past planetary environmental conditions. The research for this project is done during so-called parabolic flights, in which we can experience Moon or Mars gravity here on Earth for a few seconds. Understanding the influence of gravity on these hillslope processes is important for interpreting planetary landscapes and their geologic history.
Outreach activities:
To bring my science to the public I work together with the Science Hub at Utrecht 木瓜福利影视 in multiple programs, I give regular interviews on the Dutch radio, and a few times a year I give lectures to local and regional astronomy and geology clubs. The latest science communication highlight is an appearance on an episode of 鈥楾he Sky at Night鈥�, one of the BBC's longest running shows:
I am also the editor of the Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month blog, on which we highlight exiting and new planetary discoveries (please sign-up for the newsletter!):
