Comments on: A Martian cliff

By: David M. Cook

David M. Cook — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 18:07:03 +0000

Perhaps the rough cliff is NOT eroding, and the fans are just sand/dust that was blown off the top & fell into place, rather than making a dune pile. This would explain the lack of large debris at the base of the fans.

By: Daniel Kaczynski

Daniel Kaczynski — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 17:20:05 +0000

I must say I really enjoy these cool and very compelling images. In spite of all
our earthly troubles, it is good to be reminded that there is an entire solar system
for us to explore, just waiting for us!
Let me throw in my 2 cents worth: if you look just below the top edge of the cliff
there appear to be darker bands of material running lengthwise. Is this some kind
of sedimentary rock? “Sandstone?” Even if the bedrock here is volcanic, consider that
on Earth, pumice is very light weight and crumbly.
My conjecture is that no matter how imposing this cliff may appear, the material
of which it is made is rather insubstantial and erosion causes it to crumble directly
into fine sand or dust.
And thank you, pawn, for pointing out that “beach ball.” Some Martian kids were
probably playing volleyball and lost it. Their parents will be upset that they lost an
expensive toy.

By: pawn

pawn — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 14:53:26 +0000

I’ve been looking at this incredibly alien landscape for a while. Things like this awe me. One of the reasons I come here is to get my fix of alien inspired awe.

And the tiny little mysteries that I will never understand, like that little bright “ball” on the “beach” in the lower left. All by itself. Looks like it rolled down a hill of low-g quicksand.

My, my……

By: Blair Ivey

Blair Ivey — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 08:23:47 +0000

Alternatively, or additionally, could not material from the upper plateau spill down the crevices? Geology seems to happen slowly on Mars, due to temperature and gravity.

By: pawn

pawn — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 22:35:09 +0000

What a great shot! Thanks Bob.