Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft has taken the image of the structure of Danielson crater. In this image, sedimentary rocks and sand dunes can be clearly seen. Danielson crater is an impact crater which is approximately 67 kilometers in diameter. It is located in southwest Arabia Terra region of Mars.

On the basis of the image, researchers have tried to explain the bizarre structure inside the crater. According to them, the rocks inside the crater might have formed billions of years ago when loose sedimentary particles deposited into the crater. With subsequent time, layers of the sediments set in one above the another. Due to cyclic variation in the material properties of the sediments, some layers became more resistant as compared to the others. After billions of the years, the tougher layers protrude outward like stair steps. Winds and storms moved the sand across stairs like structure. This is the reason behind the formation of zebra strip-like pattern in the crater.

Previously, the image of the same location has been taken but from a different orientation or distance. Such a pair of images is called a stereo pair. with the help of the pair of both images, the thickness of these sedimentary rocks may possibly be measured. The thickness of the various layers and their variation over time may provide some insight on ancient climate and their effect on the topological structure.

References:nasa.gov, wikipedia.org