In celebration of NASA & JPL’s success yesterday with touchdown of the InSight lander on Mars, we offer up the “Mars-like” topography of California’s Colorado Desert.
This arm of the Sonoran Desert is one of the most barren environments in the state. With annual precipitation totals averaging from 3-5 inches in many places, the Colorado Desert has only a sparse covering of vegetation. At first glance, it superficially resembles the view some future astronaut may be treated to upon arrival at the red planet.
But even that small amount of rainfall is enough to provide evidence that this image is of Earth rather than Mars. Fluvial processes (water based) are the big drivers of erosion on Earth. Whereas on Mars, aeolian processes (wind based) are far more prominent erosional agents. Look closely and you will see dendritic drainage patterns along with associated canyons and arroyos. This is a clear indication that water, however scarce, flowed and shaped this land. Look even closer and you may spot evidence of life in the canyon washes far below.
