Spectacular Layers Exposed in Becquerel Crater

Spectacular Layers Exposed in Becquerel Crater
From NASA's Planetary Photojournal
The picture shown here reveals hundreds of light-toned layers in the 167 kilometers- (104 miles-) wide Martian basin named for 19th Century French physicist Antoine H. Becquerel (1852-1908). These layers are interpreted to be sedimentary rocks deposited in the crater at some time in the distant past. They have since been eroded and exposed, revealing faults, dark layers between the bright layers, and a long geologic history (of unknown duration) recorded in these materials. Sets of parallel faults can be seen cutting across the layers in the left third of the image. Sunlight illuminates this scene from the top/upper right.
Image Title: Spectacular Layers Exposed in Becquerel Crater
Catalog #: PIA03211
Photo Target Name: Mars
Image Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems
Spacecraft/Mission: Mars Global Surveyor Orbiter

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 Last Modified On: Friday, March 1, 2001