The "Global Dust Storm" over the South Polar Residual Cap

A dust storm has been raging on Mars, hampering the ability of the HiRISE team to carry out a seasonal monitoring campaign.

An area of the Southern Seasonal Polar Cap was selected in December 2006 for repeated imaging, to observe the sublimation (evaporation) of the seasonal Carbon Dioxide Polar Cap through Southern Spring.
Images collected as the season progressed show channels carved by escaping gas and fans of dust blown by the wind. This campaign has been stymied however by the arrival of a Martian dust storm. In this image the surface is completely obscured by the dust in the air.