The purpose of this observation is to image dunes where substantial “gullies” formed in the previous Mars winter . These features likely formed due to carbon dioxide defrosting or the weight causing the surface to slump.

The gullies at this site are particularly large, which is intriguing, suggesting that this site be monitored to see if stages of gully formation or details of activity can be observed.

This caption is based on the original science rationale.

Written by: HiRISE Science Team (audio by Tre Gibbs)   (20 March 2013)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_024103_2565

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona