- Image shows striations of varying colors in region known as Nili Fossae
- The canyon was formed by a system of faults, but also once hosted water
- Blue and white rocks are partially covered by layers of younger material
The view captures the sediments on the floor of a canyon near a feature known as Syrtis Major, and provides a glimpse at the history of the landscape.
According to the researchers, the striations illustrate a chronological stacking of the sediments, with younger layers of dust and other wind-blown materials partially covering the rocks beneath
While the canyon is thought to be the product of a system of faults, there is evidence to suggest that water once flowed through the area.
Orbital spectral measurements by the OMEGA instrument on Mars Express and CRISM on MRO show an abundance of clay minerals of different types in Nili Fossae.
These, along with other sediments detected at the site, are typically left behind by water.
According to the researchers, the variations in these layers reveal insight on how the Martian environment has changed.
NASA isn’t the only agency with plans to send robots to the red planet - in September, the ESA revealed the swirling valley of one of its ExoMars candidate landing sites.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3939986/The-incredible-blue-dunes-Mars-Stunning-new-NASA-image-reveals-layers-ancient-rock.html#ixzz4QF3SiP6U
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