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Enigmatic Mound on the Crater Floor on Margaritifer Terra
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Enigmatic Mound on the Crater Floor on Margaritifer Terra

September 6, 2011
The origin of this mound on a crater floor was not clear from prior image coverage, so we targeted HiRISE to take a closer look. With study of the HiRISE image, the geologic history may or may not be clarified, but it is certainly a striking image.

The dark sand collected in low areas creates a high contrast with the lighter-toned bedrock, and there are caterpillar-like wind-blown dunes or ripples crawling over the surface.

Written by: Alfred McEwen

Image Credits: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona