This observation was taken to investigate the topography of hills that were eroded by floods of water or lava. In many locations near here it is clear that the last fluid to flow through the region was lava.

Clear margins of lava flows are visible as well as lava textures on the channel floor. In this location, the cover of wind-blown sand and the effect of many small impact craters has erased such obvious indicators of lava. This is likely because the lava coating is thin and can be easily erased.

However, it is also possible that no lava passed through this location. Further investigation of these data should help us better understand the role of water and lava in changing the Martian landscape.

Written by: Laszlo Kestay   (30 May 2012)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_025802_1960 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_026435_1960

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona