Avalanche on Mars

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has captured a stunning image of an avalanche near the north pole of Mars. During springtime warmth from the Sun shines on the north polar layered deposits and destabilizes the ice causing blocks to break loose. The blocks kick up clouds of varying colored dust as they tumble down the 1600-ft cliff face. MRO captured a similar avalanche on February 19, 2008.