Tag Archives: sedimentary debris

Many bedrock plains are clastic rocks, not lavas

The Martian surface is dominated by loose dust, sands, and rocks, but high spatial resolution imaging has permitted the detection of numerous flat-lying exposures of ancient, intact bedrock. These “bedrock plains” have previously been interpreted as lava sequences, perhaps similar … Continue reading

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HiRISE: The White Cliffs of ‘Rover’

This image reminds us of the rugged and open terrain of a stark shore-line, perhaps of an island nation, such as the British Isles. A close-up in enhanced color produces a striking effect, giving the impression of a cloud-covered cliff … Continue reading

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HiRISE: Layers along a mesa in Hellas Planitia

Layers along a mesa in Hellas Planitia. Beautiful Mars series.

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HiRISE: Windblown sand in Ganges Chasma

Dark, windblown sand covers intricate sedimentary rock layers in this image from Ganges Chasma, a canyon in the Valles Marineris system. These features are at once familiar and unusual to those familiar with Earth’s beaches and deserts. Most sand dunes … Continue reading

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Sedimentary basins on Mars contain a lot more sediments than we thought!

Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month, March 30, 2017: Francesco Salese (Italian Space Agency). The nature of the early Martian climate is one of the major unanswered questions of planetary science. To date the geologic evidence that Mars once had … Continue reading

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HiRISE: Cracked crater on a graben floor

Modified crater on graben floor. Beautiful Mars series.

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THEMIS: What is filling Terby Crater?

THEMIS Image of the Day, September 16, 2016. Today’s false color image shows part of Terby Crater, which has thick sediments filling much of its interior. These sediments should preserve a long record of Martian history, possibly including a time when … Continue reading

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HiRISE: Gullied crater in the Northern Hemisphere

Gullied crater in the Northern Hemisphere — With quite a lovely sedimentary fan. Beautiful Mars series.

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HiRISE: Diverse deposits in Melas Chasma

This scene includes chaotic deposits with a wide range of colors. The deposits are distinctive with both unique colors and small-scale textures such as fracture patterns. These are probably sedimentary rocks, transported and deposited in water or air. The original … Continue reading

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Curiosity: Closeup on Mt. Shields layers

Sol 974, May 3, 2015. The MAHLI camera shot an overlapping series of closeup images on the Mt. Shields outcrop. Thinly layered resistant beds alternate with more easily eroded ones in a pattern suggesting repetitive deposition. Some cross-bedding is also … Continue reading

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