This fascinating observation shows us a dark-toned mound with pits inside an impact crater . Are these pits the result of sublimation?

The crater itself is an ancient one, as evidenced by the eroded rim. For the mound inside, HiRISE resolution can give us a closer look at textural features that might help explain what we’re looking at: layers in pit walls, or perhaps cracks from expansion?

Written by: HiRISE Science Team (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (26 March 2014)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_034324_2040 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_034970_2040

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona