This image shows sand in the Martian terrain.
Click on image for full size
Image from: JPL/NASA

Martian Sand

Sand grains on Earth are usually made of quartz. Sand grains of Mars seem to come from basalt. They seem to be particles which are cemented together, rather than round crystal fragments such as sand grains on Earth.

Sand is an important agent of erosion, although another important weathering mechanism on Mars is Acid Fog.


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