Layered Rocks near Mount Sharp on Mars
Explanation:
What caused these Martian rocks to be layered?
The
leading hypothesis is an
ancient Martian lake that kept evaporating and refilling over 10 million years
-- but has now remained dry and empty of water for billions of years.
The
featured image,
taken last November by the
robotic Curiosity rover,
shows one-meter wide Whale Rock which is part of the
Pahrump Hills outcrop at the
base of
Mount Sharp.
Also evident in the image is
cross-bedding -- rock with
angled layers -- which were likely facilitated by
waves of sand.
Curiosity continues to find
many layered
rocks like this as it continues to roll around and up 5.5-km high
Mount Sharp.
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.
