Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

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

 

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Just a small part of the huge Kasei Valles outflow channel is shown in this THEMIS visible image. Still, the awesome erosive power of the water that once flowed through this channel is evident. The different erosional levels of the channel indicat that it is likely that water flowed at several levels for some time. Today the area is covered by a layer of fine martian dust. The dark streaks seen on the cliff faces are the result of dust avalanches which have exposed the underlying rock.