Geomorphology of Gale Crater, Rock on! Options

[ngunn]

I'd like a discussion thread about the geology detatched from the time limits of current MSL threads. We had a 'Geomorphology of Cape York' thread that attracted a lot of interesting posts. How about 'Geomorphology of Gale Crater'? I have one or two ideas but many more questions, and I'd like to post them in a longer-running thread away from the day to day imaging discussion. Any other takers?

For starters, does anybody have a contour map of this place like the one at Meridiani with 5m intervals?


ADMIN: You have your wishes fulfilled on UMSF (sometimes)

[Phil Stooke]

At some point if the debris breaks down into sufficiently small particles it can be removed from the vicinity, even lifted out of Gale crater completely. So it might not remain in this area to choke off further erosion.


We had a small move, slightly backwards and to the left, so a rock slab that was immediately adjacent to the left front wheel is now slightly further away and right of center where the arm can work on it. Following common practice in the past I expect it backed up a bit, turned, moved forwards again to the desired location, and turned to face the rock. It's hardly enough of a move to warrant updating the route map just yet.

Phil