Sunday, February 3, 2013

Textured Crater Floor in Arabia Terra


Surrounding the uplifted bedrock in the center of this large crater is mottled terrain. What possibly caused this?

The floor of the crater might be the result of icy flows. Perhaps an ancient aquifer system was exposed at the time of the impact resulting in the incredible mottled floor we see now, which appears different from the uplifted central peak.

Photo credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Note: This crater lies just to the north of Flammarion Crater in Arabia Terra.

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