Final answer:
The sandblasting action of wind-blown particles, such as on Mars, is called abrasion. This process shapes landscapes by stripping away surfaces and redistributing particulate matter through windstorms and dust devils.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sandblasting action of wind-blown particles is commonly referred to as abrasion. This geological process occurs when particles such as sand are carried by wind and collide with solid objects, stripping away material from the surface. On Earth, this is observed in desert environments and is also significant in shaping coastal landscapes. An example of this can be seen on Mars where the winds are capable of generating windstorms that lift and redistribute dust particles across the planet. These actions can result in the exposure of darker material underneath top layers of dust, creating patterns and often playing a role in the overall landscape alteration.
Mars's thin atmosphere makes its wind less forceful than Earth's, but it can still loft particulate matter, like fine dust, leading to planet-wide dust storms that contribute to the planet's red color. Dust devils on Mars, for example, play a key role in redistributing particulate matter and even assisting in keeping the solar panels of rovers free of dust.