Tag Archives: Valles Marineris

Did lake-effect storms make Martian snowbelts?

Posted on October 15, 2011 by rburnham

Numerous places on Mars show erosion by precipitation, whether as rainfall or runoff from melting snow. The precipitation could have come from a thicker atmosphere or a temporary boost in atmospheric temperature and density following a large impact. Both scenarios … Continue reading →

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Water-related minerals in Noctis Labyrinthus

Posted on September 8, 2011 by rburnham

Noctis Labyrinthus, created 2 to 3 billion years ago, is a sprawling network of intersecting valleys and troughs between the Tharsis volcanic highlands and Valles Marineris. Deep within its troughs, canyon walls and floors display beds of layered rocks and … Continue reading →

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Cracks in the basement

Posted on August 11, 2011 by rburnham

When geological forces open a crack in bedrock, molten magma can squeeze in and widen it, after which the magma cools and hardens in place. The result is a dike, and such features let geologists delve into an outcrop’s history … Continue reading →

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