Plan view of Aeolis Mensae in true colour
Plan view of Aeolis Mensae in true colour
Acquired in true colour, this image shows a section of Aeolis Mensae measuring approximately 180 by 80 kilometres in the transition zone between the Martian highlands and the northern lowlands. North is on the right of the image. The almost linear tectonic grabens typical of the region are clearly visible on the left of the image. They are what caused the over 2500-metre mesas scattered across across the landscape. Tectonic movement has made the edges of the terrain extremely steep, which results in frequent landslides. The material deposited by these is easily visible as a number of protrusions along the terraced sections of steep rock. In contrast, the right-hand side of the image shows a landscape scarred by exposure to the erosive power of the winds that have buffeted the surface of Mars at high speed for long periods. Elongated ribs of rock as yet untouched by erosion – yardangs – indicate the direction of prevailing winds.