In this observation made for a study of ancient craters, we see the craters filled with smooth material that has subsequently degraded into scallops. These formations might be possibly due to ground ice sublimation.

High resolution can help to estimate any differences in roughness on the smoother main mantle and in the eroded hollows. With the enhanced color swath , we might be able to view composition variations of the material.

This caption is based on the original science rationale.

Written by: HiRISE Science Team (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (28 January 2015)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_038967_1230

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona