This image covers the ice-rich material that has partially filled an old impact crater. One of the clear signs of near-surface ice is the polygonal patterns we see here , which are a common feature in terrains rich in near-surface ice (both on Earth and on Mars).

The main target of this observation is the oval-shaped depression that looks like a collapse feature. A close inspection of this feature shows that it is similarly affected by the polygonal patterns on the surface, just like its surroundings, which implies it is not a recent collapse.

Instead, this feature could be a small impact crater that has expanded in size due to the loss of ice from the materials surrounding it (possibly due to the heat generated from the impact). The loss of ice has expanded and modified the crater beyond its original size and shape.

ID: ESP_083251_1340
date: 30 April 2024
altitude: 251 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_083251_1340
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
#Mars #science #NASA