Martian Surface Processes

Martian surface processes involve natural activities that shape the planet’s landscape, including wind erosion, which moves dust and sand forming dunes; volcanic activity, creating mountains and lava plains; and impact cratering from meteorites, leaving craters. Water once flowed on Mars, carving valleys and forming minerals, although now it exists mostly as ice or vapor. Dust storms can blanket the surface, and seasonal changes cause frost and ice layers to grow or shrink. These processes collectively create the diverse terrain observed on Mars, providing clues about its climate history and potential habitability.