Columbia Hills may be the remains of an ancient volcano, a remnant of an old impact crater formed by an asteroid or comet, or delta deposits formed where water flowed into Gusev Crater early in its history. Each of these hypotheses leads to a different prediction regarding bedding orientation and structure. As Spirit moves up the hill, it will look for evidence to decide between these hypotheses.

The just visible hills on the far horizon may be the rim of a large impact crater well to the east of the Columbia Hills.