This image is from Aram Chaos, a large crater connected to the Ares Vallis outflow channel. It is called “chaos” because of the rough floor topography, large slumped blocks and large fractures that may have been caused by removal of subsurface material.

The cutout is a false-color one, and the lighter-toned area is a heavily fluted and pitted capping unit. This surface tends to trap dark sand (which appears blue in false color) in the lows. We can also see the dark blue sand forming dunes below the cliff.

Sulfates have been detected in the cliff walls in some areas within Aram Chaos, as well as hematite. It has been suggested that these materials were deposited within a lake.

ID: PSP_008311_1835
date: 5 May 2008
altitude: 274 km

https://uahirise.org/hipod/PSP_008311_1835
NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
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