Loading

How Old are Martian Gullies?

NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona2017-04-24

NASA

NASA
Washington, DC, United States

Gullies eroded into the steep inner slope of an impact crater at this location appear perfectly pristine in this image captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Although at first glance it may appear that there are craters superimposed on the gully fans, inspection of HiRISE stereo coverage shows that the craters lie only on the pre-gully terrain.

Distinctive colors in the gully channels and alcoves offer another indication of youth and recent activity. The pre-gully landscape is covered by secondary craters from nearby Gasa Crater, estimated to be about 1 million years old. Although some have suggested that the Martian gullies are also about a million years old and formed in a different environment, we now know that they are continuing to form today.

https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21599

Details

  • Title: How Old are Martian Gullies?
  • Creator: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona
  • Date Created: 2017-04-24
  • Rights: JPL
  • Album: kboggs

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app

Interested in Visual arts?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Google apps