MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-492, 23 September 2003

This is a mid-southern spring view, taken in August 2003, of defrosting patterns on sand dunes in Richardson Crater. The picture was acquired by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC). The frost on these dunes might be a combination of frozen carbon dioxide left over from the previous winter, and water ice. As the ices sublime away, they create dark spots. Winds create dark streaks, either by moving the dark sand that underlies the frost, or by removing frost to expose the sand. Alternatively, the frost itself is roughened by the wind or has been made coarse by wind and sublimation processes. The Richardson dune field undergoes a long series of changes as it defrosts from late winter through spring and into early summer. Summer will arrive at the end of September 2003. This picture is located near 72°S, 181°W, and covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) across. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the upper left.