Victoria Crater (EDM - Natural Colors; credits: Lunexit)

Victoria Crater was explored by Opportunity Rover for more than a Mars year; HiRISE images have supported surface exploration and contributed to joint scientific studies.

HiRISE stereo data were used to measure slopes and help select safe paths for the intrepid Rover. The most interesting exposures of geologic strata are in the steep walls of the Crater, difficult to image from the overhead perspective of orbiting spacecraft like MRO. However, MRO can point to the sides, and did so in this case to get a better view of layers in the West-facing and sunlit slopes of the Crater.

Especially prominent is a bright band near the top of the Crater Wall, interpreted by some MER scientists as having formed by diagenesis (chemical and physical changes in sediments after deposition). This bright band separates the bedrock from the impact ejecta deposits of Victoria Crater.