This image shows an exposure of the north polar layered deposits (NPLD) within the northern residual ice cap. The polar layered deposits are thought to have been formed by recent climate changes on Mars, like ice ages on Earth.

Scientists are studying the NPLD to learn more about these climate changes on Mars. In many places, the NPLD layers appear to extend over large areas, suggesting that they were deposited from atmospheric suspension. If the layers in this image are horizontal and continuous, the apparent curves are caused by erosion of valleys into the NPLD. To determine whether this is the case, HiRISE has acquired two images of this location to form a stereo pair. Analysis of this stereo pair will allow the orientation and thickness of the layers to be measured across the region of stereo coverage, constraining hypotheses for their formation.

Also visible in this image are bright and dark streaks that may be caused by the redistribution of frost by winds.

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the project and built the spacecraft. The HiRISE camera was built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation and is operated by the University of Arizona. The image data were processed using the U.S. Geological Survey’s ISIS3 software.