Strange Erosional Features

Scaled Image

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

About this image

The strange erosional pattern seen in this THEMIS visible image differs greatly from the surrounding terrain of Lycus Sulci (see context image). The crescent-shaped erosional pits trend in the southwest-northeast direction, indicating a dominant wind direction from the southwest. Why these pits eroded in the shapes that they did, however, is a mystery.

Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images. 

Context

Image ID: 
V08506017 (View data in Mars Image Explorer)
18.6147
214.617
8506
2003-11-14 12:21
Fri, 2003-12-19
VIS
1024 pixels (18 km)
3648 pixels (66 km)
0.018183 km/pixel
0.018316 km/pixel

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