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Meridiani Crater

NASA's Mars Global Surveyor shows a crater formed in light-toned, layered, sedimentary rocks in Meridiani Planum on Mars. Erosion of sedimentary rock layers around the crater rim has caused an uneven retreat.
PIA04197
Credits: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
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Description

31 August 2005
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a crater formed in light-toned, layered, sedimentary rocks in Meridiani Planum. This crater is located approximately 55 kilometers (~34 miles) southwest of the Mars Exploration Rover, Opportunity, site. Erosion of sedimentary rock layers around the crater rim has caused an uneven retreat, resulting in the formation of U-shaped alcoves where undermining and collapse have occurred. Dark material in this scene is probably sand and granules, similar to the dark surfaces explored by the Opportunity rover.

Location near: 3.1°S, 5.8°W
Image width: width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)
Illumination from: lower left
Season: Southern Spring