The Nili Fossae region, located on the northwest rim of Isidis impact basin, is one of the most colorful regions of Mars.

The colors over many regions of Mars are homogenized by the dust and regolith, but here the bedrock is very well exposed, except where there are sand dunes. The rocks also have diverse compositions, which produce different colors in HiRISE infrared-red-blue color images .

This region is ancient and has had a complicated geologic history, leading to interesting structures like layered bedrock, as well as other compositions.

Written by: Alfred McEwen (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (20 April 2016)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_044095_2010 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_044662_2010

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona