Erosion of the Edge of the South Polar Layered Deposits

This oblique view of the sloping edge of the stack of icy layers over the South Pole has some interesting morphologies.

The slope appears to be eroding from a combination of landslides, block falls, and sublimation. The bright icy exposure in the larger landslide scar (upper right) suggests that this was a relatively recent event.

Small-scale textures over the scene are due to both blowing wind and the thermal expansion and contraction of shallow ice.

Written by: Alfred McEwen  (22 May 2017)

This is a stereo pair with ESP_013026_1080 .

More info and image formats at http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/ESP_013224_1080

Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona