Gale Crater, in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle, is of special interest to geologists because it contains a 2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mile) high mound of layered sedimentary rocks.
 On 28 March 2012 this mound was named "Mount Sharp" by NASA in honor of Robert P. Sharp (1911–2004), a planetary scientist of early Mars missions.
More recently, on 16 May 2012, Mount Sharp was officially named Aeolis Mons by the USGS and IAU.
 The mound extends higher than the rim of the crater, so perhaps the layering covered an area much larger than the crater.
These layers are a complex record of the past.
 The rock layers probably took millions of years to be laid down within the crater, then more time to be eroded to make them visible.
 The 5 km high mound is probably the thickest single succession of sedimentary rocks on Mars.
 The lower formation may date from near the Noachian age, while the upper layer, separated by an erosional unconformity, may be as young as the Amazonian period.
The lower formation may have formed the same time as parts of Sinus Meridiani and Mawrth Vallis.
 The mound that lies in the center of Gale Crater was created by winds.
Because the winds eroded the mound on one side more than another, the mound is skewed to one side, rather than being symmetrical.
The upper layer may be similar to layers in Arabia Terra.
 Sulfates and Iron oxides have been detected in the lower formation and anhydrous phases in the upper layer.
 There is evidence that the first phase of erosion was followed by more cratering and more rock formation.
 Also of interest in Gale Crater is Peace Vallis, officially named by the IAU on September 26, 2012,  which 'flows' down out of the Gale Crater hills to the Aeolis Palus below, and which seems to have been carved by flowing water.
On December 9, 2013, NASA reported that, based on evidence from Curiosity studying Aeolis Palus, Gale Crater contained an ancient freshwater lake which could have been a hospitable environment for microbial life.
 Gale Crater contains a number of fans and deltas that provide information about lake levels in the past.
 These formations are: Pancake Delta, Western Delta, Farah Vallis delta and the Peace Vallis Fan.
Gale Crater, in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle, is of special interest to geologists because it contains a 2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mile) high mound of layered sedimentary rocks.  On 28 March 2012 this mound was named "Mount Sharp" by NASA in honor of Robert P. Sharp (1911–2004), a planetary scientist of early Mars missions. More recently, on 16 May 2012, Mount Sharp was officially named Aeolis Mons by the USGS and IAU.  The mound extends higher than the rim of the crater, so perhaps the layering covered an area much larger than the crater. These layers are a complex record of the past.  The rock layers probably took millions of years to be laid down within the crater, then more time to be eroded to make them visible.  The 5 km high mound is probably the thickest single succession of sedimentary rocks on Mars.  The lower formation may date from near the Noachian age, while the upper layer, separated by an erosional unconformity, may be as young as the Amazonian period. The lower formation may have formed the same time as parts of Sinus Meridiani and Mawrth Vallis.  The mound that lies in the center of Gale Crater was created by winds. Because the winds eroded the mound on one side more than another, the mound is skewed to one side, rather than being symmetrical. The upper layer may be similar to layers in Arabia Terra.  Sulfates and Iron oxides have been detected in the lower formation and anhydrous phases in the upper layer.  There is evidence that the first phase of erosion was followed by more cratering and more rock formation.  Also of interest in Gale Crater is Peace Vallis, officially named by the IAU on September 26, 2012,  which 'flows' down out of the Gale Crater hills to the Aeolis Palus below, and which seems to have been carved by flowing water. On December 9, 2013, NASA reported that, based on evidence from Curiosity studying Aeolis Palus, Gale Crater contained an ancient freshwater lake which could have been a hospitable environment for microbial life.  Gale Crater contains a number of fans and deltas that provide information about lake levels in the past.  These formations are: Pancake Delta, Western Delta, Farah Vallis delta and the Peace Vallis Fan.
Aeolis quadrangle