MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-451, 13 August 2003

This August 2003 Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a plethora of small mesas with sharp, arcuate edges located on the south polar residual cap of Mars. These mesas, each about 2 meters (6-7 feet) high, are all remnants of a single layer or grouping of layers of frozen carbon dioxide. Sublimation of the carbon dioxide has eroded the layer(s) from these flat-topped mesas. This scene is located near 86.6°S, 105.4°W and covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) across. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the upper left.