Mars

Active High-Latitude Dune-Gullies On Mars

By Keith Cowing
Status Report
HiRISE - NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
February 11, 2026
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Active High-Latitude Dune-Gullies On Mars
ID: ESP_039701_1095, date: 14 January 2015, altitude: 247 km, https://uahirise.org/hipod/ESP_039701_1095 Credit NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

Gully and defrosting activity have been visible here along the edge of a dune field, along with blocks of frost. Observations of the same area help us check for repeat activity, as well as measuring those meter-scale blocks that we’ve seen prior.

In this case, we want to compare any possible changes with a previous observation, which we acquired in 2011.

We’ve also seen images where carbon dioxide frost was the driving process in creating new gullies, so we know their formation is occurring to this day. Tracking for changes, especially when we look at the 1-kilometer enhanced color swath, can help us find more.

This caption is based on the original science rationale.

Astrobiology, Astrogeology,

Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Station Payload manager/space biologist, Away Teams, Journalist, Lapsed climber, Synaesthete, Na’Vi-Jedi-Freman-Buddhist-mix, ASL, Devon Island and Everest Base Camp veteran, (he/him) 🖖🏻