ESA Mars Express observes clusters of recent craters in Ares Vallis

Oraibi crater is about 32 km across and situated in Ares Vallis on Mars. The crater is filled with sediments and its southern rim has been eroded by water. 
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The image was acquired by the HRSC instrument on Mars Express at about 16°N/327°E during orbit 9393 on 11 May 2011. 

The images have a ground resolution of 15 m per pixel. North is to the right in this image and south to the left.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

Newly released images taken by ESA’s Mars Express show an unusual accumulation of young craters in the large outflow channel called Ares Vallis. Older craters have been reduced to ghostly outlines by the scouring effects of ancient water.

In the distant past, probably over 3.8 billion years ago, large volumes of water must have rushed through the Ares Vallis with considerable force. Mars Express imaged the preserved aftermath of this scene on 11 May 2011.

The prominent Oraibi crater lies in the channel and is about 32 km across. It is filled with sediments and its southern rim has been eroded by water. NASA’s Pathfinder mission landed in this region in 1997, 100 km to the north of the crater and off the right-hand side of this image.

Read more hear at ESA Mars Express Portal