Dynamic Mars

Several interesting impact craters are observed in this THEMIS image taken near Scamander Vallis that illustrate the dynamic nature of the Martian surface. The smallest crater at the bottom of the image shows dark streaks running down the crater walls that are likely due to small dust avalanches. The larger nearby crater has a well developed central peak and fluidized ejecta material that covers part of the eroded crater to the top of the image. The morphology of the ejecta suggests the impact may have occurred in a volatile rich surface.