A simple and likely theory. We know that the surface of Mars has plenty of rocks, and this is the surface of Mars that we are looking at.

The problem with this theory is that if such a row of rocks were found on the surface of this planet, it would be assumed that they were the result of the actions of people—not nature. These features are also lighter than the surrounding material.

Anyone have a picture of something like this on Earth?

Ridges Eroded by Winds:

The light colored features are ridges along a scarpe or small uplift. Some even show the “branching” effect characteristic to ridge-like features. Between each of these light colored ridges, the slope makes a slight scallop, or indentation, much like a small eroded ravine. That these ridges appear to “line up” is probably due to the uplift being associated with an ancient fault.

The factor causing the erosion is likely the high velocity winds that are common on Mars, sometimes exceeding 300 miles per hour. Without rainful and without recent seismic activity, wind erosion could easily create the regular appearance as the winds sweep and skip across the scarpe. - theory by Donald Krupp

Problems with this theory—none that I can think of.

Anyone have a picture of something like this on Earth?

Surface Feature Similar to those Below the Mesa:

A simple and likely theory. The mesa above the ridge has lines that while not as regular or lined up are of a similar albedo (brightness) to the objects in the row. The features near the mesa are likely the bottom of ravines or gullies which have filled in with lighter materials, or frost, snow or ice. If the features are a series of depressions then they too could be filled with similar material. A row of such depressions could be have been caused by a similar process as sinkholes are caused on Earth with the cause of this localized in a straight line along a fissure or fault. The top of the ridge is also of a similar albedo perhaps indicating that it could be the source of the fill material.

NEWLY DISCOVERED ANOMALY FROM ORBIT 1
Unexplained "Tracks" Found South of Face

The problem with this theory is that the same material might be expected to collect in the nearby craters. It does not appear to do so. The formation of sinkholes would seem to suggest the flow of an underground stream of water. This is not likely to have occured recently according to our current knowledge concerning the availablility of water on Mars. The regularity of these depressions is a question that would need to be explained.

Anyone have a picture of something like this on Earth?

Volcanic Ejecta:

Lava upon cooling can form some very unusual and sometimes regular shapes, a straight line of these shapes could also be concievably formed.

The problem with this theory is that the nearby crater appears to be meteoric in origin and appears to be highly eroded. This feature does not appear to be as worn down indicating a more recent origin.

Row of Craterlets:

A possible explanation as meteors often break up upon entering an atmosphere or travel in clusters. This would account for the line. An example of this would be a string of craterlets just outside the Ptolemeus crater on the Moon. Will post a picture when I find one and obtain permission to post it.

The problem with this theory is that these features appear to be oblong or rectangular. I do not know of any such craters. The lighting and shadowing of nearby craters does not appear to be similar to these objects

Sand Dunes:

Picture from October 7 MGS aerobraking manuever shows dunes which are caused by the Martian winds blowing over an area of sand. That is my opinion. The sand has filled a fissure or old riverbed thus making a long channel of sand in which dunes have formed that appear as a row of ridges.

The problem with this theory is that the dunes are illuminated by the sun at a low angle and the shadows are what makes them stand out. The row is illuminated from a high angle and there are no apparent shadows. The objects also are significantly brighter that the surrounding material. The row objects are much smaller.

Ancient Ruins:

Structures built by ancient Martians or some other extra-terrestrial intelligence. The mastabas which lie along side of the Great Pyramid at Cheops have a very suprising similarity of proportion and arrangement. The webmaster at Cydonia 98 has pointed out the similarity between the shape of the ridge and a dolphin. The arrangement of the ridge, the objects and the mound are also interesting.

http://www.bemyguest.com/mars/platform_dolphin.html

The problem with this theory is that we have no hard evidence of Martians or extra-terrestrials. One might expect ancient ruins to be less obvious and not stand out so clearly as well.

Secret Mars Base:

The row of objects is similar in appearance to other rows of man-made structures on earth. People have the capability to send spacecraft to the surface of Mars. A large part of space activities are military in nature. These activities are classified and not subject to public disclosure. Other nations and organizations may also possibly have such capabilities. If a research base were to be built on Mars, the Cydonia region would be a likely candidate.

The problem with this theory is how could such an operation be kept secret. It would also be extremely expensive. Under current publicly available information it would seem unlikely that anyone as of yet has that capability.

NASA/JPL or someone else doctored the image and put the row in:

Give me a break! Try this theory on the Art Bell show.

A trick of light and shadow:

No shadows due to the angle of the sun.

There it is folks. I have tried to be fair and equally critical for all of these theories, but being human, I am prejudiced just a little bit. Being a science fiction fan, I have to admit that my favorite theory is the “Secret Mars Base.” Please don’t get me wrong, I really don’t know what it is. The “Ridges Eroded by Winds” is the most likley and probable theory given the current data.

Back to the “Trailer Park” ~ Cydonia, Mars