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Sediments of Arabia

Aug. 21, 2005
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows the floor of a crater in western Arabia Terra. Martian sediment in two basic forms: (1) light-toned, layered, sedimentary rock outcrops and (2) dark, windblown sand dunes.

21 August 2005
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows martian sediment in two basic forms: (1) light-toned, layered, sedimentary rock outcrops and (2) dark, windblown sand dunes. The dark sand of the dunes is most likely composed of grains rich in iron-, magnesium-, aluminum-, and silicon-bearing minerals. The hills and mounds of layered sedimentary rock were once more extensive, covering the entire scene shown here, which occurs on the floor of a crater in western Arabia Terra.

Location near: 8.9°N, 1.2°W
Image width: width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Northern Autumn

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