In A Grand Canyon On Mars
Explanation:
In
a grand canyon on Mars,
steep slopes fall away from a smooth plateau
revealing striking layered rock formations.
The canyon is part of the
Valles Marineris, a 2,500 mile long
system of canyons cutting across the Martian equator.
This view, recorded on January 1
by the orbiting Mars Global Surveyor shows
a small portion
of Valles Marineris in amazing detail.
The image is about 6 miles wide and high resolution versions
show features as small as 20 feet across.
What processes caused the layering?
In the Grand Canyon on planet Earth,
sedimentary processes have resulted in spectacular rock layers.
But similar layers of rock in
canyons of the Hawaiian Islands were created
by volcanoes.
Regardless of the origin of layering
on Mars,
its extent suggests
that early Mars was geologically active and complex.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
