This basin in Ceti Mensa exposes concentric rings in the sedimentary layers. Dark sand ripples and textures in the bedrock suggesting wind scouring are also apparent.

Wind is a powerful, erosive force, transporting fine-grain sediments that can shape topography and expose darker material underneath the surface. One such feature of wind-scour on Mars is in Gale Crater, where scouring has created a stair-step pattern .

Written by: HIRISE Science Team   (28 August 2013)

This is a stereo pair with PSP_009460_1745 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_017741_1745

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona