Layers averaging 50 meters in thickness are seen in the cliff face and surrounding areas, which are highlighted by occasional white patches of frost. The regularity of the layering suggests that it comes from periodic changes in the orbit of Mars-a relationship that, on Earth, may be at least partially responsible for ice ages. These orbit changes may affect the frequency and intensity of global dust storms, in turn varying the amount of material available to form layered terrain. The maximum thickness of the polar cap has not been determined. The image is about 60 km across.
North is to the top of the image.