Eumenides Dorsum

Today's VIS image shows part of the eastern edge of Eumenides Dorsum. Long term winds have eroded the surface in this region. The direction of the wind aligns with the ridges and valleys. In regions of poorly cemented surface materials it is possible to create large features due to just the action of the wind. The equatorial region between Olympus Mons and Apollinaris Mons is dominated by wind etched regions. Eumenides Dorsum is in this region and contains just such a terrain. It has been suggested that this region of Mars provides a large percentage of the surface dust seen around the planet. Ash falls from nearby volcanoes may have been the source of the surface materials eroded into these and other wind eroded landforms.