TR
EN
EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM
Abstract
Accurate classification of geological structures on the Martian surface is of critical importance for advancing planetary science research and developing autonomous exploration systems. In this study, a deep learning–based approach is proposed to classify images of eight different Martian geological structures, namely Other, Slope Streak, Spider, Swiss Cheese, Bright Dune, Crater, Dark Dune, and Impact Ejecta. The Mars Terrain Classification dataset obtained from the Kaggle platform is utilized, and a transfer learning model built upon the EfficientNetB4 architecture is developed. To enhance the model performance, various data preprocessing and data augmentation techniques are applied. Furthermore, Grad-CAM (Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping)–based visualization methods are employed to improve the transparency and interpretability of the model’s decision-making process. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves high classification accuracy and enables reliable identification of geological structures through explainability analyses. The findings indicate that deep learning models that are both data-efficient and interpretable can provide significant contributions to Martian surface classification, addressing an important gap in the existing literature.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Software Engineering (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
December 24, 2025
Publication Date
December 24, 2025
Submission Date
June 24, 2025
Acceptance Date
October 1, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 13 Number: 2
APA
Pala, A. F., Karaduman, G., & Özbay, E. (2025). EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science, 13(2), 300-310. https://doi.org/10.18586/msufbd.1726149
AMA
1.Pala AF, Karaduman G, Özbay E. EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science. 2025;13(2):300-310. doi:10.18586/msufbd.1726149
Chicago
Pala, Ahmet Faruk, Gülşah Karaduman, and Erdal Özbay. 2025. “EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis With Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM”. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science 13 (2): 300-310. https://doi.org/10.18586/msufbd.1726149.
EndNote
Pala AF, Karaduman G, Özbay E (December 1, 2025) EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science 13 2 300–310.
IEEE
[1]A. F. Pala, G. Karaduman, and E. Özbay, “EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM”, Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 300–310, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.18586/msufbd.1726149.
ISNAD
Pala, Ahmet Faruk - Karaduman, Gülşah - Özbay, Erdal. “EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis With Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM”. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science 13/2 (December 1, 2025): 300-310. https://doi.org/10.18586/msufbd.1726149.
JAMA
1.Pala AF, Karaduman G, Özbay E. EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science. 2025;13:300–310.
MLA
Pala, Ahmet Faruk, et al. “EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis With Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM”. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science, vol. 13, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 300-1, doi:10.18586/msufbd.1726149.
Vancouver
1.Ahmet Faruk Pala, Gülşah Karaduman, Erdal Özbay. EfficientNetB4 Based Classification of Mars Surface Images: Explainability Analysis with Transfer Learning, Data Augmentation and Grad-CAM. Mus Alparslan University Journal of Science. 2025 Dec. 1;13(2):300-1. doi:10.18586/msufbd.1726149