Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Cross-bedded rock within Panamint Butte, Curiosity sol 748

Cross-bedded rock within Panamint Butte, Curiosity sol 748
Cross-bedded rock within Panamint Butte, Curiosity sol 748 Before driving on sol 748, Curiosity took in a panoramic view of rock layers displaying crossbeds. This image contains two sections of the same panorama. Crossbeds form where sand is being transported in a current of wind or water, making sand ripples. Sand cascades down the slip faces of the ripples, building out a series of inclined rock layers. Later erosion may plane off the tops of the originally inclined beds before another set of cross beds is deposited on top. NASA / JPL / MSSS / Emily Lakdawalla