Some believe that during certain climate changes an ice-dust layer was deposited; later, parts were eroded to form buttes.

Recent research on these layers by scientists at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) suggest that ancient climate change on Mars caused by regular variation in the planet's tilt, or obliquity may have caused the patterns in the layers.

On Earth, similar changes (astronomical forcing) of climate results in ice-age cycles.

The tilt of the Earth's axis changes by only a little more than 2 degrees; it is stabilized by the relatively large mass of the Moon.

When the tilt (or obliquity) is low, the poles are the coldest places on the planet, while the equator is the warmest—as on Earth.

This causes gases in the atmosphere, like water and carbon dioxide, to migrate pole ward, where they freeze.

When the obliquity is higher, the poles receive more sunlight, causing those materials to migrate away.

When carbon dioxide moves from the poles, the atmospheric pressure increases, maybe causing a difference in the ability of winds to transport and deposit sand.

This study of the thickness of layers was done using stereo topographic maps obtained by processing data from the high-resolution camera onboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

[7] Recent research leads scientists to believe that some of the craters in Arabia may have held huge lakes.

This hypothesis is supported by a groundwater model and by sulfates discovered in a wide area.

[9][10] At first, by examining surface materials with the Opportunity rover, scientists discovered that groundwater had repeatedly risen and deposited sulfates.

[11][12][13][14][15] Later studies with instruments on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed that the same kinds of materials exist in a large area that included Arabia.

Since the collision that produces a crater is like a powerful explosion, rocks from deep underground are tossed unto the surface.

[28] However, a recent study indicates that to match the observations of methane, there must be something that quickly destroys the gas, otherwise it would be spread all through the atmosphere instead of being concentrated in just a few locations.

[29][30] The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter showed deformation bands in Capen Crater, located in the Arabia quadrangle.

[32] Good examples form in the Entrada Sandstone in the San Rafael Swell in Utah.

[36] Recent studies, reported in the journal Icarus, have suggested that the area underwent several phases in its formation: Streaks are common on Mars.

[41] It is believed that they are avalanches of bright dust that expose a darker underlying layer.

[45] Dust storms are frequent, especially when the spring season begins in the southern hemisphere.

Research, published in January 2012 in Icarus, found that dark streaks were initiated by airblasts from meteorites traveling at supersonic speeds.

The team of scientists was led by Kaylan Burleigh, an undergraduate at the University of Arizona.

After counting some 65,000 dark streaks around the impact site of a group of five new craters, patterns emerged.

With the passage of time, surrounding material was eroded away, thereby leaving hard ridges behind.