Layers exposed on the sides of hills are visible as terraced steps. The formation of these steps is a result in differences between layers in cohesion and resistance to weathering. Weaker layers disaggregate quickly into shallow slopes, while stronger layers maintain steep “sharp” appearing edges. Such contrast can occur, for example, between alternating strong lava flows and weak volcanic ash deposits.

Between the hills dark sands blow across the landscape and have accumulated in hollows created by these differences in rock strength. Since the hollows tend to follow weaker layers, they outline the layer exposure, even when the topography of the hollows are too subtle to see on its own. Image was named HiRISE picture of the day for September 25, 2021. Written by: Mike Mellon (21 November 2012)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_026270_1820.