Overall Surface

The Martian surface is characterized by sheer cliffs, jagged mountains, and dry ancient riverbeds. The conditions are similar to those of deserts found on Earth. The surface is also pocked with numerous craters and eroded landmasses, contributing to a firmness of ground comparable to that of compacted sand. The discovery of water ice under the surface in some regions heightens speculations for the possibility of the support of life on the planet.

For more information:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap960720.html
http://search.corbis.com/default.asp?i=10089808&vID=1&rID=101
http://www.germantown.k12.il.us/html/Mars.htm
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/hubble/updates/may2097-sept497.html
http://142.26.20.1/salsec/students/mike/mars/
http://www.terryparker.duval.k12.fl.us/mars.htm

South Pole

The composition of the South Pole of Mars, like both polar regions on the Red Planet, is still not yet completely known. It is composed of some combination of carbon dioxide, water ice, and dust. The quick changes in phase (like solid to gas) form visually stunning patterns that have been observed by spacecraft.

For more information:

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/msss/camera/images/polar_montage_2000/index.html
http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/ncgi/PIADBSearch.pl
http://www.msss.com/education/edprog.html

North Pole

The Martian North Pole is very similar in composition to the South Pole, consisting of phase changing ice, dust, and carbon dioxide. The thickness of the pole is about three quarters of a mile, while its area is about 1.5 times that of Texas. Ice and dust storms constantly pelt the polar regions, as well.

For more information:

http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/mars_poles_000308.html
http://space.magnificent.com/news/sol/mars/N96-74.html

Canyons

The issue of canyons on Mars, as on Earth, is heavily intertwined with that of mountains. The largest canyon system is the Marineris one, but its floor is far too rocky and dangerous to traverse in a mission. A better alternative would be to explore one of the smaller offshoots of this large canyon system, namely, the Maja Valles system. Its walls are sheer, not jagged, and its previous role as a floor plain has endowed it with stratifications that comprehensively chronicle the history of the planet.

For more information:

http://cmex.arc.nasa.gov/MarsTools/Mars_Cat/Mars_Cat.html

Mountains

The mountains of Mars have been shaped from eons of volcanic activity, creating some of the biggest mountains in our solar system, including Olympus Mons. Mountain ranges are known to be more than hundreds of thousands of square miles in area, and have a great effect on the Martian weather pattern. The chasms formed between these mountain ranges can conglomerate into large valleys, including Valles Marineris, a valley whose area is roughly equal to that of the contiguous United States.

For more information:

http://archive.abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/marsglobal11110/
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap950719.html
http://www.solarviews.com/eng/marsvolc.htm
http:seds.lpl.arizona.edu/nineplanets/mars.html