Daedalia Planum Windstreak

Today's VIS image shows a windstreak on lava plains southwest of Arsia Mons. The extensive lava flow field is called Daedalia Planum. The dark and bright material forming the "tail" behind the crater were created by surface winds funneling over and around the crater. The raised rim and bowl of impact craters causes a complex interaction such that the wind vortex in the lee of the crater can both scour away the surface dust and deposit it back in the center of the lee. The "tail" shows the direction of the wind, in this case blowing from the right to the left.