Dalmatian Terrain

The polar regions of Mars have surfaces than can show dark spots on a brighter background. These surfaces are informally called 'dalmatian terrain' because of their appearance. This image shows this type of terrain in a valley within the southern polar layered deposits, not too far from the south polar cap. Elsewhere, defrosting dunes have shown a similar spotted pattern. Perhaps this 'dalmatian terrain' is a distinctive pattern that forms over all defrosting patches of sand.