Perspective view of frost patterned soil
Perspective view of frost patterned soil
On Earth, these polygonal patterns are typical features of periglacial areas in Arctic and Antarctic regions and indicate the presence of ice in the soil. On Mars, they are more likely formed by cyclical temperature fluctuations, which lead to polygonal cracks in these thermal contraction polygons. It is not yet clear how the light and dark fan-shaped deposits, which can be seen as small dots in this image, are formed. Ice fountains of carbon dioxide probably contribute to their formation.
