Why are the “three-sided pyramids” on Mars so popular? Know what the experts say |

Excitement surrounding the Red Planet reached new heights as the three-sided pyramid emerged and went viral on social media and news organizations around the world. Located in the western region of Candor Canyon, a giant canyon in the Valles Marineris system, this giant pyramid has incredible geometric symmetry and has reignited debate about the possible existence of ancient alien civilizations. According to data NASA Official Photography Magazine and high-resolution datasets collected from High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camerathe pyramid is actually thought to be an “internal layered deposit” (ILD) or geomorphic knob, rather than a human structure NASA. The structure was originally discovered in 2001 by Keith Laney, who determined its ILD using Mars Global Surveyor data. However, the “megastructure” received another boost in March 2026, when filmmaker Brian Dobbs shared processed 3D satellite images showing that its hard edges and dimensions were similar to the Great Pyramid of Giza, although official figures suggested it was nearly 3 kilometers wide and more than ten times larger.People around the world claim these features as evidence of their artificial origins. However, USGS A geological map of the area, titled “Mars Candor Canyon Landform Knob: New Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data and Comparison with Terrestrial Analogs,” was produced that supports the formation’s natural formation due to billions of years of erosion by wind and tectonic fissures.

The geometry of Candor Canyon: Why the ‘three-sided pyramid’ on Mars is so popular

The current wave of hype surrounding the Red Planet is particularly focused on the geographical location of Candor Canyon in the west. The feature, which is approximately 3 kilometers wide, has attracted worldwide attention for its sharp ridges and architectural design similar to the precise architectural design of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt.NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) archives provide evidence that this “anomaly” first appeared in 2001. Since then, this has become one of the most commonly cited pieces of evidence by those looking for signs of early Martian civilization. The main reason this story is so popular is because of its symmetrical appearance on many different satellites over more than 20 years of various missions.

Analysis of “Internally Layered Deposits” (ILD)

While the visual evidence is impressive, it is University of Arizona HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) Teamthis “pyramid” is considered by scientists to be an example of an internally layered deposit (ILD); they are large, isolated hills, also known as massifs, formed from sediment deposited to the bottom of canyons by melting permafrost.These sediments are a mixture of hydrated sulfates (such as gypsum) and iron oxides that form a strong sediment-resistant layer due to their chemical and physical properties. When these layers of sediment are eroded by the thin Martian atmosphere, they form sharp, angled edges instead of rounded hills.

USGS Verdict: Natural Versus Manmade Landform Knobs

Researchers examined the area around the structure to see if it was a man-made structure. this The study, led by U.S. Geological Survey researchers, is published in the journalmentions this pyramid as one of the many “Type 3 geomorphic knobs” within the Valles Marineris system.According to the U.S. Geological Survey, aeolian carving is a process in which the main Martian winds act as natural sandblasters, eroding rocks and forming three-sided rocks, or “Dreikanters.”The pyramid’s face is aligned with the major Candor Canyon rift fault line, strongly suggesting that the pyramid’s shape was influenced by natural weaknesses in the Martian crust.