Layers of Cliffs in Northern Mars
Explanation:
How did these layers of red cliffs form on Mars?
No one is sure.
The
northern ice cap on
Mars
is nearly divided into two by a huge division named
Chasma
Boreale.
No similar formation occurs on Earth.
Pictured above, several dusty layers leading into
this deep chasm are visible.
Cliff faces,
mostly facing left but still partly
visible from above, appear dramatically red.
The light areas are likely water ice.
The
above image spans about one kilometer near the north of Mars, and the elevation
drop from right to left is over a kilometer.
One hypothesis relates the formation of
Chasma Boreale to underlying
volcanic activity.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
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NASA Official: Jay Norris.
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rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
