Ridges as Evidence of Fluid Alteration Tectonic fractures within the Candor Chasma region of Valles Marineris, Mars, retain ridge-like shapes as the surrounding bedrock erodes away. This points to past episodes of fluid alteration along the fractures and reveals clues into past fluid flow and geochemical conditions below the surface. + Full image and caption |
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Light-Toned Bedrock Along Cracks as Evidence of Fluid Alteration This enhanced-color image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment Camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a landscape of sand dunes and buttes among a background of light-toned (tan-colored) bands and dark-toned (blue-colored) bands in the Candor Chasma region of Mars' Valles Marineris canyon system. + Full image and caption |
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Linear Ridges at 'Victoria Crater' This enhanced-color view of the eastern rim and floor of "Victoria Crater" in Mars' Meridiani Planum region comes from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera in NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. + Full image and caption |
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Ridges in Stereo, Candor Chasma A stereo view shows fractures called joints. They have a ridge-like shape, standing out in positive relief as the surrounding bedrock is eroded away faster than they are. This positive relief suggests that the rock along the joints has been strengthened through chemical reactions with fluids flowing through these joints. + Full image and caption |
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Halos Along Fractures Exposed in Meridiani This image from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows evidence for ancient fluid flow along fractures in Mars' Meridiani Planum region. + Full image and caption |