Nighttime Lava Flows

This nighttime IR image is of lava flows from Arsia Mons, the southernmost of the three Tharsis Montes. Lava flow surfaces are generally rough, and trap sand and dust with time. The addition of sand/dust will affect the nighttime IR appearance of the surface [dust cools quickly and is darker than slow cooling rocks in the nighttime IR]. The rough, rockier surface of young flows are brighter than the older dust covered flows.