Monday, March 25, 2013

Defrosting of Dunes with Large Gullies in Vastitas Borealis


The purpose of this observation is to image dunes where substantial "gullies" formed in the previous Mars winter. These features likely formed due to carbon dioxide defrosting or the weight causing the surface to slump.

The gullies at this site are particularly large, which is intriguing, suggesting that this site be monitored to see if stages of gully formation or details of activity can be observed.

Photo credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Note: The location of this image is in Vastitas Borealis to the northwest of Louth Crater.

No comments: