New Mars images shows 'fingernail' gouging-like features on surface

[Admin]

Scratches and grooves on the Martian surface look like a huge 'fingernail' was gouging out regolith on the Red Planet, but there's a volcanic origin to these features.

New Mars images shows 'fingernail' gouging-like features on surface : Read more

 

[iconoclast]

Scratches and grooves on the Martian surface look like a huge 'fingernail' was gouging out regolith on the Red Planet, but there's a volcanic origin to these features.

New Mars images shows 'fingernail' gouging-like features on surface : Read more

Obviously gouged out by a huge alien hand with fingernails. Where is Hoagland when he's needed? Will this huge alien menace earth next??

 

[billslugg]

We already know there is a Martian crater , Airy-O, which looks just like a human fingerprint. It is only logical there should be fingernail grooves. I am going over to HiRise repository to search for footprints and nail clippings. Wish me luck.

 

[Orion]

Maybe it was a localized meteor shower.

 

[billslugg]

These are thought to be grabens, "stretch marks" in the surface surrounding a growing volcano. As the volcano builds, magma is withdrawn from below, the volcano ends up sitting in a depression. The sloped walls of the depression slide towards the volcano creating cracks that define blocks that drop down making the grabens.

 

[Orion]

Got it. Thanks.