Dense clusters of crack-like structures called deformation bands form the linear ridges prominent in this image from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Latest News
NASA Orbiter Reveals Rock Fracture Plumbing on Mars
09.25.08 -- NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed hundreds of small fractures exposed on the Martian surface that billions of years ago directed flows of water through underground Martian sandstone.
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Latest Images
Deformation Bands in Martian Bedrock
Growing Library of Mars Spectrometer Images
This image in enhanced color from visible-light wavelengths shows light-toned rugged highland material in an area near the Martian equator.
Ius Chasma's Floor
Mission News
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NASA Orbiter Reveals Rock Fracture Plumbing on Mars
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has revealed hundreds of small fractures exposed on the Martian surface that billions of years ago directed flows of water through underground Martian sandstone.
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NASA Spacecraft Shows Diverse, Wet Environments on Ancient Mars
Two studies based on data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that the Red Planet once hosted vast lakes and a variety of other wet environments that had the potential to support life.
Video Gallery
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Candidate for a Mars Landing
The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment in orbit around Mars has examined many possible landing sites for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory rover, including the Nili Fossae area seen here.
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Mars: A Feast for the Eyes
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is providing unprecedented views as it studies the red planet.
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 "Candidate for a 2009 Mars Landing")
 "Mars: A Feast for the Eyes")
NASA Podcasts
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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: In the Groove Around the Red Planet
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully placed itself into orbit at Mars on Mar. 10, 2006.
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