The Ariadnes Colles region is a large basin in the southern highlands covered by mounds. The mounds expose bedrock riddled with light-toned veins of mineral-filled fractures. This suggests hydrothermal alteration: hot water carried and deposited minerals. On Earth, heat-loving microbes thrive in such settings.

ID: ESP_082678_1450
date: 16 March 2024
altitude: 256 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_082678_1450
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
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