The fairly fresh-appearing crater that dominates this image has excavated the materials partially filling Ladon Basin.

The crater is about 6 kilometers across and may expose materials from approximately one kilometer deep in the basin. Interestingly, at least the upper section of the exposed rocks appears layered.

The nature of materials within Ladon Basin is varied and ranges from light toned, likely sedimentary rocks to those appearing more volcanic in form. Comparison of the layers exposed in this and other craters with those outcropping along the margin of the basin can help define the nature and importance of differing basin filling processes, thereby helping to understand what processes have contributed to the shaping of the Martian surface over time.

Written by: John Grant  (31 May 2012)