Mars Geological Features

High-resolution imagery of Martian landscapes, showcasing craters, lava flows, and valleys. The images exhibit a gray scale, highlighting surface textures and geological formations.

Channels
Channels
270 assets in this story
6145-44493004
Peneus Patera. An unusual layer of smooth material covers the flanks of the volcano Peneus Patera, located south of the Hellas Basin. Though smooth on its upper surface, the layer is pitted by a process of erosion that produces steep scarps facing the south pole and more gentle slopes in the direction of the equator. The style of erosion of the smooth layer suggests that ice of some form plays a role in shaping this terrain. Orbit Number 91366 Latitude -57.1932 Longitude 54.3735 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-07-20 08 53
6145-44592647
The mottled surface texture and flow features observed in this NASA Mars Odyssey image suggest materials may be, or have been, mixed with ice. There is also evidence in some areas for infilling of sediments as crater rims and ridges appear covered.
6145-44817049
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows part of the northeastern flank of Ascraeus Mons, one of the large Tharsis volcanoes. The channels were carved by lava, not by water.
6145-58971787
Lycus Sulci is a low lying area of ridges and valleys found to the northwest of Olympus Mons. It is not yet understood how this feature formed or how it relates to the formation of Olympus Mons itself. This VIS image shows the ridge forms that are typical of this region. Dark slope streaks are common on the cliff faces. There are several suggested mechanisms to form these features. Two of the mechanisms are that the dusty surface has been altered to reveal darker rock beneath from motion of downward moving dust avalanches, or the surface is darkening by fluid or other surface staining. Orbit Number 94804 Latitude 15.0303 Longitude 219.406 Instrument VIS Captured 2023-04-29 11 14
6145-44573902
This VIS image is located in Amazonis Planitia. Amazonis Planitia is host to many pedestal craters, which indicate the region has had significant erosion. A pedestal crater is one where the crater and inner ejecta are above the level of the surrounding plains. Impact events alter the surface by the heat and pressure of the actual impact, and the resultant crater and ejecta are often stronger than the surrounding unaltered surface. To form a pedestal crater the surrounding plains are eroded away, isolating the crater materials to form a platform above the plain surface. Orbit Number 81203 Latitude 12.4957 Longitude 197.378 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-04-04 13 48
6145-44626424
Cydonia Craters
6145-44939244
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows windstreaks on the volcanic plains of Daedalia Planum.
6145-44588396
A broad channel in the Deuteronilus Mensae region, shown in this NASA Mars Odyssey image, displays the strange landforms common to the northern mid-latitudes where ground ice likely plays a role in their formation.
6145-44510861
This VIS image shows a section of Her Desher Vallis. This channel is located in Noachis Terra. Her Desher is the Egyptian word for Mars. Orbit Number 81898 Latitude -25.2878 Longitude 312.226 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-05-31 19 01
6145-45044145
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of the volcanic flows in the Tharsis region.
6145-44706219
Tartarus Montes
6145-44984898
Dark slope streaks mark the inner rim of this unnamed crater in Terra Sabaea, as seen by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
6145-44588143
The floors of these craters imaged by NASA's Mars Odyssey contain very interesting and enigmatic materials that may hold shallow subsurface ground ice with varying amounts of a sediment covering (mantle).
6145-44829868
NASA's Mars Odyssey captured this unnamed channel is west of Flammarion Crater in Terra Sabaea on July 23, 2010.
6145-45298276
The two channels visible at the top of this image are tributaries of Indus Vallis. Ejecta from an unnamed crater south of this image fills the bottom half of the VIS image. Indus Vallis is located in Terra Sabaea. Orbit Number 78850 Latitude 18.178 Longitude 39.5506 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-09-23 19 54
6145-44750203
Dark Slope Streaks
6145-45110565
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows an unnamed crater in Terra Sabaea.
6145-44483870
The channel in the center of this VIS image is Tinto Vallis. This northward flowing channel is 180 km (112 miles) long and is located in northern Hesperia Planum. Tinto Vallis arises in the plains of Herperia Planum and empties into Palos Crater. Orbit Number 88032 Latitude -3.35203 Longitude 110.907 Instrument VIS Captured 2021-10-18 20 36
6145-44891184
The channel on the right side of this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located in the volcanic plains southeast of Alba Mons.
6145-45041189
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a portion of Nanedi Valles in Xanthe Terra.
6145-44648568
Back by popular demand: THEMIS ART IMAGE #65 Valentines Day is past, but this martian mesa reminds us of a heart
6145-44745128
Terra Sabaea
6145-44605161
The Dichotomy Boundary
6145-44626408
Old Crater
6145-45116778
The linear depressions in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are some of the numerous graben that make up Claritas Fossae.
6145-45126244
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a field of sand dunes on the floor of Hale Crater.
6145-45075614
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows dark slope streaks on the inner rim of an unnamed crater in Amazonis Planitia.
6145-45125277
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows part of an unnamed crater in Terra Cimmeria.
6145-44990075
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft of Daedalia Planum contains a narrow lava flow and shows the end of the flow. The end of a lava flow is often called the 'toe' and is formed when the eruption creating the flow slows down or stops
6145-44585753
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey covers a portion of Ares Valles, an outflow channel carved into the surface of Mars by ancient catastrophic floods.
6145-45122802
The channel-like features in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are tectonic graben. The graben (called Icaria Fossae) are located in Terra Sirenum.
6145-44840761
This unusual channel is located in northern Arabia Terra. This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey was captured on 2010-10-21 00:17.
6145-44834277
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey shows part of the summit of Ceraunius Tholus.
6145-44633757
Radial Erosion
6145-44579380
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a region of Mars called Ophir Planum. The Valles Marineris system of canyons that stretch for thousands of kilometers across Mars are located just south of the area covered in the image.
6145-45043878
The unnamed channel in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located in northern Tyrrhena Terra.
6145-52960789
. Granicus Valles. This VIS image shows part of Granicus Valles. Granicus Valles is a complex channel system located west of Elysium Mons. The system is approximately 750km (466 miles) long. It is likely that both water and lava played a part in creation of the feature. Orbit Number 94545 Latitude 28.4791 Longitude 129.351 Instrument VIS Captured 2023-04-08 03 29
6145-44483662
Today's VIS image shows part of the northwestern upper flank of Ascraeus Mons. Lava flows and collapse features cover the flank of the volcano. Ascraeus Mons is the northernmost of the three large Tharsis volcanoes and is the tallest at 18km (11 miles) high. For comparison Mauna Kea - the tallest volcano on Earth - is 10 km tall (6.2 miles, measured from the base below sea level). Orbit Number 88002 Latitude 12.7202 Longitude 254.248 Instrument VIS Captured 2021-10-16 09 24
6145-44584643
This image of Hydaspis Chaos from NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows the source terrain for several outflow channels on Mars.
6145-44585749
Except for the loss of its ring of ejecta, the crater at the leading edge of this streamlined island in Kasei Vallis, imaged here by NASA's Mars Odyssey, shows no hint of the catastrophic floods that passed by it.
6145-45299310
Today's VIS image shows the western edge of Ariadnes Colles. The term colles means hills or knobs. The hills appear brighter than the surrounding lowlands, likely due to relatively less dust cover. Ariadnes Colles is located in Terra Cimmeria. Orbit Number 83625 Latitude -34.4641 Longitude 171.09 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-10-20 23 45
6145-44711068
THEMIS ART #85
6145-44577254
This NASA Mars Odyssey image shows a close-up view of the ridged plains in Hesperia Planum, a classic locality for Martian surfaces that formed in the 'middle ages' of the planet's history.
6145-44591538
In this image from NASA's Mars Odyssey, eroded mesas and secondary craters dot the landscape in an area of Cydonia Mensae. The single oval-shaped crater displays a 'butterfly' ejecta pattern, indicating that the crater formed from a low-angle impact.
6145-45264890
The right angle intersection of the depressions in this VIS image is one of the graben that form Sacra Fossae. The fossae are located on Sacra Mensa, near the beginning of Kasei Valles. Graben are depressions caused by parallel faults where a block of material drops down along the fault face. Orbit Number 72803 Latitude 23.2339 Longitude 290.007 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-05-13 19 26
6145-45263293
Today's VIS image shows one of the numerous channel features that dissect the highlands between Solis Planum and Aonia Terra. The linear features in the region include both tectonic graben and fluvial channels. Orbit Number 74525 Latitude -37.7012 Longitude 279.788 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-10-02 15 26
6145-44658685
Only the most resistant portions of this crater's ejecta remain
6145-44748304
Channels
6145-44692482
Dark Slope Streaks
6145-44676226
Edge of the Olympus Mons
6145-44971254
This image shows a portion of Samara Valles as seen by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
6145-45298248
The lava flows and other volcanic features in this VIS image are part of Ascraeus Mons. Ascraeus Mons is the middle volcano in the aligned Tharsis Montes. Orbit Number 77832 Latitude 7.57479 Longitude 251.986 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-07-01 23 58
6145-44661027
From smooth topped mesas to rugged lowlands, this region of Mars near Huo Hsing Vallis presents several different surface textures
6145-44585776
This NASA Mars Odyssey image shows the dissected interior of a crater in the Cydonia region of Mars. The flat-topped buttes and mesas in the northern portion of the image were once a continuous layer of material that filled the crater.
6145-45124748
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows several channels in and around unnamed craters in Noachis Terra.
6145-44593656
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a crazy mixture of bizarre surface features in Lucus Planum.
6145-45292203
Today's VIS image contains three craters. The crater at the very top of the image was created after the larger crater beneath it. The newer crater is not the usual round/bowl shape of impact craters. The top rim is extends towards the top of the image. Continuing the rim arc of the preceding crater, it crosses under the top rim of the crater in line with a large oval block of material. Impact events alter the rock beneath and around the crater especially around the rim. The alteration of the rock by the older cratering event affected the later impact. The large oval of material is called a slump block. Slumps occur when material moves as a block downward along concave slip faces like the rim of the old crater. The blocks often tilt backward, ending up looking like a turtle shell. Numerous gullies can be seen all around the inner rim of the younger crater. This image is located in Terra Cimmeria. Orbit Number 83994 Latitude -33.4635 Longitude 150.893 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-11-
6145-45298271
Today's VIS image shows part of Elysium Fossae, located on the western flank of the Elysium volcanic complex. The fossae have both a tectonic and a volcanic origin. The linear depressions, created by tectonic activity, are aligned southeast to northwest (the top of the image is north). The sinuous nature of the channel at the top of the image is due to the flow of a liquid, most likely lava in this case. Orbit Number 78834 Latitude 29.682 Longitude 139.489 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-09-22 12 21
6145-44484960
While the crater in this VIS image was crated by an impact event, the resultant form is not the normal circular shape. There are several factors that can create 'out of round' craters. The most common is subsurface faulting from tectonic activity. Pre-existing subsurface fractures can deflect impact pressures along the fault faces, rather than uniformly radially from the center of impact. Meteor Crater in Arizona has corners due to the same tectonic forcing of impact pressures. Orbit Number 89615 Latitude 31.7702 Longitude 156.612 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-02-26 05 06
6145-45064104
The hills in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are part of Protonilus Mensae, located on the northern margin of Terra Sabaea.
6145-44840775
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey shows an unnamed channel located on the margin of Elysium Planitia and the Elysium volcanic complex.
6145-44943790
A network of large and small channels dissect this highland region in Terra Cimmeria, as shown in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.
6145-44484663
Olympus Rupes is the name of the large escarpment surrounding Olympus Mons. The escarpment is a cliff where there is a large elevation change over a short distance. The elevation change from the lower volcanic plains to the volcano flank is up to 8km (5 miles), almost the height of Mount Everest. This VIS image is located along the northern margin of Olympus Mons, the largest Martian volcano. The brighter toned material in the central part of this image is the escarpment, with the lower elevation surface at the top of the image. Orbit Number 89625 Latitude 21.7334 Longitude 229.57 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-02-27 00 48
6145-44772500
This image of Holden Crater shows some of the small dark dunes located on the floor of the crater.
6145-45106271
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows Cerberus Fossae, a group of graben located near the southern part of Tartarus Montes.
6145-44899807
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft of Zephyria Planum shows erosion in different orientations, related to different wind directions.
6145-45264332
This VIS image is located in Medusae Fossae. Along the cliffside several dark streaks are visible. It is thought that these streaks mark the location where downslope movement of material has removed some of the dust that coats every surface of Mars, and revealed the rocky surface beneath the dust. The surface of the rest of the image appears to have been modified by wind erosion, which has created the aligned small hills and ridges. Orbit Number 71135 Latitude -5.43154 Longitude 197.71 Instrument VIS Captured 2017-12-27 09 27
6145-45042267
The parallel channels seen in this image NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft captured by are dissecting the flanks of Apollinaris Mons, a large volcano north of Gusev Crater.
6145-45048432
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of the lava flows from Alba Mons. The depression and collapse features within it are part of the large system of tectonic features created by the apparent collapse of the volcano.
6145-44921794
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows the steep escarpment between Olympus Mons and the surrounding volcanic plains.
6145-44561223
Today's VIS image shows a section of Mamers Valles. The channel is nearly 1000 km long (600 miles). Mamers Valles originates near Cerulli Crater in northern Arabia Terra, and after a short section near the crater where flow is to the south, flows northward to empty in Deuteronilus Mensae. The steep walls of Mamers Valles can reach heights of 1200 m (4000 feet). Orbit Number 80685 Latitude 31.7182 Longitude 18.531 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-02-21 22 16
6145-44703633
Landslide
6145-44691466
Little Landslide
6145-45007389
The crater gullies, channels and fractures in this image taken by by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are located on the eastern margin of Tempe Terra.
6145-44767389
This 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS VIS image shows a landslide in Capri Chasma.
6145-44585223
A fretted channel dominates this region of Ismeniae Fossae, imaged by NASA's Mars Odyssey. The topography of this region appears muted, most likely due to the presence of ground ice.
6145-44689115
Arsia Flows
6145-58971991
The linear depression in this VIS image is part of Sirenum Fossae. Depressions of this type are called graben, which form by the down drop of material between two parallel faults. The faults are caused by extensional tectonic stresses in the region. The fossae are 2735km long (1700 miles). Orbit Number 83781 Latitude -39.5762 Longitude 174.649 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-11-02 19 27
6145-44590500
Hrad Vallis, seen in this NASA Mars Odyssey image, appears to be affecting the local wind patterns. The texture of the terrain just around the valleys is markedly different from that its surroundings.
6145-44726946
Lunae Planum
6145-45012837
This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of Daedalia Planum, which is comprised of lava flows from Arsia Mons. Note the small channel in the image. This channel was likely created by lava rather than water flow.
6145-45299056
Today's VIS image shows a small section of Nirgal Valles. Located in Noachis Terra, Nirgal Valles is 610km long (379 miles). Orbit Number 81773 Latitude -28.157 Longitude 318.842 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-05-21 11 59
6145-44768595
This 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS VIS image shows a portion of the eastern end of Sirenum Fossae.
6145-45264347
Today's VIS image is of the eastern flank of Pavonis Mons where the volcano meets the surrounding volcanic plains. The arced features toward the top of the image are fractures and lava tubes that were revealed by collapse of the roof of the tube into the underlying void. Orbit Number 72343 Latitude 0.300092 Longitude 249.729 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-04-05 21 52
6145-58971754
Dark streaks mark the inner rim of this unnamed crater in Terra Sabaea. There are several suggested mechanisms to form these features. Two of the mechanisms are that the dusty surface has been altered to reveal darker rock beneath from motion of downward moving dust avalanches, or the surface is darkening by fluid or other surface staining. Orbit Number 94910 Latitude 12.9036 Longitude 41.7337 Instrument VIS Captured 2023-05-08 04 41
6145-44602054
Pavonis Mons Aureole
6145-44834043
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey shows a small channel entering the south side of Balvicar Crater.
6145-45075861
A Colossal Wreck, Boundless and Bare
6145-45263555
This VIS image shows part of the southwestern flank of Pavonis Mons. The channel and nearby oval depressions are both related to the flow of lava. Narrow lava flows can create channels. The cooling of the top of the channel will form a roof over the flow, creating a tube beneath the surface. After the lava stops flowing the tube can empty, leaving a subsurface void. The roof will then collapse into the void forming the oval surface features. Orbit Number 73104 Latitude -1.15359 Longitude 245.948 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-06-07 14 23
6145-44826005
This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey shows are region of lava covered plains east of Olympus Mons. Winds are common in the area and have created windstreaks downwind of craters in the region and on the lava flows.
6145-44683531
Classic Crater
6145-44619409
A Change of Direction
6145-44967643
Do you see what I see this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft A large bumble bee!
6145-44668132
These thin, parallel ridges appear to be narrow lava flows from Alba Patera. The large fracture is part of Mareotis Fossae
6145-45106291
This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a portion of Cerberus Fossae, a set of linear graben located south of Tartarus Montes.
6145-44842591
This channel is located in the volcanic flows north of Olympus Mons as seen by NASA's Mars Odyssey.
6145-44593407
Tall narrow ridges snake between mesas and buttes in this image from NASA's Mars Odyssey. Where one such ridge crosses a flat-topped mesa (in the lower center of the image), the mesa surface is split into two surfaces of different heights.
6145-44675687
Fractures
6145-45264606
This VIS image shows several craters. The interior of the central one has retained much of the original topography, including the central peak. The floor has not been smoothed by deposits of dust or other layering materials. These craters are located on the northern margin of Arabia Terra. Orbit Number 71217 Latitude 30.69 Longitude 345.854 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-01-03 03 47
6145-45074604
Located on the floor of an unnamed crater in Terra Sirenum, the crater in the center of the this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft has numerous gullies on the inner rim.