Centered in this image is a high-standing mound of material that sits within a large impact crater (the edges of which are not visible). Evident are numerous dark streaks that originate in the higher elevation areas near the center of the mound.

These streaks are possibly areas where the lighter surface dust cover has been disturbed and partially stripped away, revealing a darker layer beneath the dust. The dark streaks fade fairly rapidly as layers of bright dust settle over them.
Written by: Brad Thomson

All of the images produced by HiRISE and accessible on this site are within the public domain: there are no restrictions on their usage by anyone in the public, including news or science organizations. We do ask for a credit line where possible: Image: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the prime contractor for the project and built the spacecraft. The HiRISE camera was built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation and is operated by the University of Arizona. The image data were processed using the U.S. Geological Survey’s ISIS3 software.