The North Polar layered deposits provide a record of recent climate changes on Mars. Color variations between layers are due to differences in composition of the dust that contaminates the ice, and differences in surface textures and residual seasonal frost.

Enhanced colors can also accentuate the subtle variations .

Written by: Alfred McEwen (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (23 March 2016)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_044706_2670

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona