In an adjacent image we acquired in 2008, there was terrific color and texture diversity, so this observation was acquired to extend coverage. There are clays mixed with unaltered mafics in this area as well. “Noachian” refers to the early geologic period after Mars formed, 3 to 4 billion years ago.

ID: ESP_022601_1975
date: 23 May 2011
altitude: 279 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_022601_1975
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
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