Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS: Feature Image: Melas Chasma Deposits (Released 9 January 2003)

Vital Statistics
Location: -10.4N, 284.9E	Released: 2003-01-09
Image Size: 17.4 x 62.0 km, 1024 x 3648 px
Resolution: 17m	Instrument: VIS

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

Image Context:
Context image for 20030109a

Wide Context:
Wide context image for 20030109a

Context image credit: NASA/JPL/MOLA
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Detailed information on this image is available at the THEMIS Data Releases website.

Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images.

Erosion of the interior layered deposits (ILD) of Melas Chasma, part of the huge Valles Marineris canyon system, has produced cliffs with dramatic examples of spur-and-gulley erosional morphology. Various erosional mechanisms provide beautiful exposures of finely layered sediments within Melas Chasma. Erosion is the wearing away or movement of materials from one place to another. The most common causes of movement / erosion include gravity, water, ice and wind.