Hazards

Screeching Winds

Whether it’s the unending rumble of fast winds, the whistle of a dust storm blowing over a hole, or the screech of loose metal on metal blowing back and forth, the noises of Mars would take a toll mentally on the astronauts. Even the inability to leave a habitat for days while a strong storm blows through can lead to cabin fever. Humans are adaptable and able to overcome most obstacles, but any annoying sound on repeat can drive us to distraction, and a distracted unrested astronaut is less efficient and more prone to mistakes.

The Science

While some people suffer from Misophonia - an extreme emotional and physical response to seemingly innocuous, repetitive sounds like tapping pens on desks, lip-smacking, and even breathing, it’s safe to say nails down a blackboard elicits a negative response from almost everyone. While a one off noise can quickly be forgotten, a repeated sound can have knock on impacts - an interruption to your thoughts, the inability to sleep, or the lack of will to socialize. These in turn can take a toll on astronauts mental health, with additional measures being required to ensure they can remain at peak efficiency.

Special

Screeching Winds impact any cards which have wellbeing as an output. This represents a dining hall no one actively wants to be in, a sleeping pod keeping an astronaut up all night with a rattle they can’t quite find, or the howling winds of a dust storm which lingers just long enough to tip someone over the edge.