Peeling thin layers on a Martian plateau
Click for full image.
Cool image time! The photo to the right, cropped to post here, was taken on May 14, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). It shows what the science team labels as “light-toned layered deposits.”
Their focus, rightly from a geologist’s perspective, is the contrast in color between different layers, suggesting different composition and thus a different formation history for each layer.
To me, what made this feature appealing is the thinness and number of its layers. It reminded me of fillo pastry, “unleavened flour dough formed into very thin sheets or leaves.”
If you look at the full image you will see that cropped section only covers one edge of a tongue-shaped plateau, with similar layers revealed along its entire cliff wall. It is almost like those layers have been peeling off for eons to leave the plateau behind.
The location below gives some context.
The image, marked by the white cross, is in what is called Ladon Basin, an outlet drainage valley [pdf] that poured northward into the resurgences that came out of Valles Marineris. Here scientists have found many features suggesting strong flows which they assume at present to have been catastrophic floods, though this remains unproven.
In the above image, the downhill grade is to the north. You can also see that grade in the small eroding drainage hollow in the image itself. If a catastrophic flood poured over this at some time in the past, it eroded material away to the north.
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Click for full image.
Cool image time! The photo to the right, cropped to post here, was taken on May 14, 2021 by the high resolution camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). It shows what the science team labels as “light-toned layered deposits.”
Their focus, rightly from a geologist’s perspective, is the contrast in color between different layers, suggesting different composition and thus a different formation history for each layer.
To me, what made this feature appealing is the thinness and number of its layers. It reminded me of fillo pastry, “unleavened flour dough formed into very thin sheets or leaves.”
If you look at the full image you will see that cropped section only covers one edge of a tongue-shaped plateau, with similar layers revealed along its entire cliff wall. It is almost like those layers have been peeling off for eons to leave the plateau behind.
The location below gives some context.
The image, marked by the white cross, is in what is called Ladon Basin, an outlet drainage valley [pdf] that poured northward into the resurgences that came out of Valles Marineris. Here scientists have found many features suggesting strong flows which they assume at present to have been catastrophic floods, though this remains unproven.
In the above image, the downhill grade is to the north. You can also see that grade in the small eroding drainage hollow in the image itself. If a catastrophic flood poured over this at some time in the past, it eroded material away to the north.
In order to remain completely independent and honest in my writing, I accept no sponsorships from big space companies or any political organizations. Nor do I depend on ads.
Instead, I rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal, or $3 to $50 through Patreon, or any amount through Zelle.
The best method to donate or subscribe is by using Zelle through your internet bank account, since it charges no fees to you or I. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). What you donate is what I get.
To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If these electronic payment methods don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
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