I find the patterns viewable in the HiRISE image, ESP_01444_0935 so important as to make a topic on the image, and study the patterns as they are possibly related to active fans in the south polar ice layered terrain of Mars.
These images are enlarged at least to 4x, or larger, and the fluted marked circular cones or mounds, are steep, the most elevated of the features seen at the crest of the small ridge, and below the central lowest blue square are two pits which appear to be depressed fluted elongate general circular features related to the raised cones.
Is there a person with some experience in resolving the processes and sunlight activity relationship in these details?
Are these a CO2 related core of other larger circular mounds we see in the polar regions?
Are these a type of active fan which does not show the dark fan characteristics when active?
Are these seen in the other regions of Mars?
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The pits are not deep, but are recessed below the common ground elevation at each, and appear to have some amount of fluting to the relatively even sloped sides.
The marked mounds or cones, have well defined fluted sides to the slopes, and are the items of greatest elevation in the scene. Even the sunlit bright cone has not declined in stature in appearance, although it is next to the two pits. What activity would be present other than ice lodes subliming to the atmosphere in this cold scene?
Are these layered features the product of deposition of ice and dust? Can the ice repeatedly erode the layers, altering the terrain, while not affecting the entire scene in elevation reduction? Is this a current and ongoing active geology erosion alteration process of both buildup and erosion during each season? The longer fluted or layered patterns are overlain by a multiple overlapping of patterns which are containing these cones and pits. Which is the longer surviving patterns, the larger overview, or, the mounds with bright peaks?
Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
