Curiosity Rover Spots Clear Evidence of Ancient Water on Mars | Page 4 of 13

4/13

Alluvial fans

Mars’ Saheki Crater bears some alluvial fans, signs of ancient water. — Mars’ Saheki Crater bears some alluvial fans, signs of ancient water. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona

MRO’s view of Saheki Crater on Mars reveals alluvial fans on the planet’s surface. Alluvial fans are gentle slopes formed by the flow of water. The fans also occur naturally on Earth, but on Mars they tend to be much, much older, given that water hasn’t been plentiful on the planet’s surface for ages.

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