The northern slope of this unnamed crater in Arabia Terra exhibits light- and dark-toned slope streaks that are common on Mars.

Most scientists believe that slope streaks are formed by the downslope movement of very dry, fine-grained dust, similar to an avalanche on Earth. Darker slope streaks are thought to be younger than lighter slope streaks.

This image shows a unique dark streak that split around a knob sticking out from the crater wall and then joined back together downslope.

Written by: Jennifer Griffes   (30 July 2008)

This is a stereo pair with PSP_008507_1825 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_008942_1825

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona