NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
Erosion of North Polar Layered Deposits
This digital elevation model was constructed using a stereo pair of HiRISE images taken in summertime showing a broad scarp in the North Polar layered deposits.

These deposits, composed of water ice and dust, are thought to have been formed by global climate changes on Mars (like ice ages on Earth). This view, looking toward the scarp face, shows higher elevations in grey and lower elevations in violet.

At the top of the view is the North Polar residual ice cap that covers the layered deposits. This area is of particular interest because of the wavy pattern seen in the part of the scarp colored orange. The topographic data show that this pattern was formed by variations in erosion of one of the nearly horizontal layers, rather than by folding of the layers.

In addition, at the right side of the view (in green) an angular unconformity is visible, where some layers are truncated against other layers. This is evidence that the lower, older (greener) layers were partly eroded before younger, upper (yellower) layers were laid down over them. These complexities in the geologic history of the polar layered deposits must be understood in order to interpret the climate history of Mars.

Written by Ken Herkenhoff
 
DTM & ORTHOIMAGES
DTEPC_001472_2785_001710_2785_U01   (1576 MB)

PSP_001710_2785_RED_A_01_ORTHO
(651 MB)

PSP_001472_2785_RED_A_01_ORTHO
(652 MB)

PSP_001472_2785_RED_C_01_ORTHO
(47 MB)

PSP_001710_2785_RED_C_01_ORTHO
(49 MB)

Full directory listing

DTM EXTRAS
DTEPC_001472_2785_001710_2785_U01
(Annotated Browse)
PSP_001710_2785_RED_C_01_ORTHO
(Annotated Browse)
PSP_001472_2785_RED_C_01_ORTHO
(Annotated Browse)
DTEPC_001472_2785_001710_2785_U01
(Shaded Relief)
DTEPC_001472_2785_001710_2785_U01
(Color Altimetry)

Extras Read me
Extras directory listing
STEREO PAIR
Left observation
PSP_001472_2785

Right observation
PSP_001710_2785

Latitude (center)
81.23°

Longitude (center)
44.75°

Map scale
0.98 meter/pixel

North azimuth
225.°


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