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Martian stairs suggest predictable ancient climate

Tilt in Mars' axis could have created layered, stair-stepped rock formations long ago

By Ron Cowen

- More than 2 years ago

“I’ll build a stairway to Paradise.
With a new step ev’ry day!
I’m gonna get there at any price;
Stand aside, I’m on my way!”
— “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise,” lyrics by Ira Gershwin

WHAT A RELIEF! These sequences of ancient sedimentary rock layers in the Mars region known as Arabia Terra show periodic, stair-step patterns.