Wind is one of the most active forces shaping Mars’ surface in today’s climate. The wind has carved the features we call “yardangs,” one of many in this scene, and deposited sand on the floor of shallow channels between them.

On the sand, the wind forms ripples and small dunes. In Mars’ thin atmosphere, light is not scattered much, so the shadows cast by the yardangs are sharp and dark. (Note: The cutout is not map-projected, so approximate north is down).

Written by: Candy Hansen (audio: Tre Gibbs)   (10 February 2016)

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_044000_1750

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona