Dark Light

These impact craters in the northern middle latitudes have interesting interiors: all of them have wind-blown (aeolian) ripples. 

Outside of the craters and along the crater floors, the ripples are all oriented in the same direction. However, along the walls of some of the larger craters, the ripples are situated radially away from the center, indicating the winds moving inside the larger craters can be influenced by the topography of the crater wall. 

Additionally, many of the larger craters have layered mesas along their floors that are likely sedimentary deposits laid down after the craters formed but prior to the development of the aeolian ripples. 


Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona https://www.uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_070049_2170
Related Posts

Wondrous Ridges

This image shows possible landslide-related faults within the layered rocks on the floor of west Candor Chasma. These…
Slope Instability

Slope Instability

One small section of this image shows boulders that have rolled down the slope of a crater wall.…

The Rugged Slope

Earlier images of this site showed potential recurring slope lineae, so this observation was taken to confirm that.…