This image shows a set of coalesced collapse pits in western Valles Marineris.

Fine layers are exposed in the walls of the pits, and in some places those layers are displaced by faults . What formed these layers, and what caused them to collapse into pits? Detailed study of this image and other data should help answer those questions.

Written by: Alfred McEwen (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (6 April 2016)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_044141_1730 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_044497_1730

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona