The Martian Dust Devil Electron Avalanche: Laboratory Measurements of the E-Field Fortifying Effects of Dust-Electron Absorption

•Triboelectric processes creates large E-fields and enhanced electrons flows in dust devils.•On Mars, the low atmospheric pressure under stress from the E-field gives rise to a Townsend discharge that limits tribocharging currents.•We show that the undercharged population of dust can absorb electrons in the Townsend discharge, thereby increasing E-fields compared to unobstructed electron flows.