Martian Terrain and Geological Features

This cluster showcases diverse Martian landscapes, including dune fields, craters, and erosion patterns, highlighted by grayscale imagery that emphasizes texture and topography.

Channels

Ganges Chasma Sand Sheet

This VIS image is located in the region between northern Terra Sabaea and Utopia Planitia. This unnamed crater contains a small dune field. The crater rim is heavily eroded and it appears that some downslope movement on the interior of the rim may have included a volatile component such as ice. Orbit Number 72636 Latitude 42.2873 Longitude 66.9553 Instrument VIS Captured 2018-04-30 01 22

Auqakuh Vallis Channel

Channels

The landslide deposit in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located in an unnamed crater in Xanthe Terra.

Reull Vallis. This VIS image shows a short section of Reull Vallis. Reull Vallis starts in Promethei Terra and empties into Hellas Plainitia. In other regions of the channel the floor contains ridged and grooved materials. In some sections of the channel these materials appear to deflect around obstacles. These features are proposed to be ice-rich materials similar to glaciers on Earth. Reull Vallis is 1051km (653 miles) long. Orbit Number 92980 Latitude -39.6307 Longitude 110.597 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-11-30 05 57 https //photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25803

Today's VIS image shows part of Huo Hsing Valles, located in northern Terra Sabaea. This valley system is 318 km (197 miles) long. Orbit Number 79136 Latitude 30.7086 Longitude 66.391 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-10-17 09 11

The linear graben in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are part of Claritas Fossae.

Northwest Meridiani

This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey shows dark slope streaks, a common feature on the rim of this unnamed crater within Tikhonravov Crater.

This image taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows secondary channeling on a terrace of the huge Kasei Valles outflow system.

This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows sand dunes of the floor of Trouvelot Crater.

The channels in this image taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are part of Granicus Valles, located west of the Elysium volcanic complex.

This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows several large channels emptying into the eastern Hellas Basin. These southern channels are filled with material today. Whether the material contains volitiles (like ice) is unknown.

Areas of blocky terrain are common in Morava Valles. The blocks are termed chaos and are near the beginning of the valley system as seen in this image from NASA's Mars Odyssey.

$The large fracture in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located on the margin of Aurorae Chaos.$

Today's VIS image shows half of an unnamed crater in Utopia Planitia. Orbit Number 79833 Latitude 42.973 Longitude 115.983 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-12-13 18 40

This image shows part of Coprates Chasma

Today's VIS image shows a portion of an unnamed channel in northern Terra Cimmeria. Orbit Number 81867 Latitude -1.64386 Longitude 123.348 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-05-29 05 53

This VIS image shows part of Indus Vallis. Indus Vallis is 300km long (186 miles) and is located in Terra Sabaea. Orbit Number 78900 Latitude 19.8775 Longitude 36.769 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-09-27 22 44

The sand dunes in this image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are located on the floor of Hargraves Crater.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of Reull Vallis.

Dual Landslides

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows dust devil tracks in Argyre Planitia.

This image, taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, shows dunes on the floor of an unnamed crater in Tyrrhena Terra.

Sand dunes cover the floor of this channel in Terra Sabaea

Mesas and valleys form the terrain called Margaritifer Chaos as shown in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

Rather than a central peak, Hale Crater contains a complex ridge of peaks. This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a portion of the ridge.

Odd rimmed depressions are located on the floor of this unnamed crater in Noachis Terra in this 2001 Mars Odyssey THEMIS VIS image.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows part of the northwest rim of Schiaparelli Crater.

An unusual layer of smooth material covers the flanks of the volcano Peneus Patera just 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 84434 Latitude -58.8716 Longitude 52.6886 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-12-26 13 56

Impact craters can have a variety of floor features. This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey is a central peak/pit combination crater in Terra Cimmeria.

Today's VIS image is located on the eastern margin of Orcus Patera. Dark slope streaks are present on most ridges in the image. Formation of these features is linked to a change in the surface, either removal of the dusty surface revealing darker rock beneath the dust, or a volatile flow along the cliff face. The mechanism that formed Orcus Patera is unknown. While the term patera is tied to volcanic activity, the elongate shape might also have been caused by a low angle meteor impact. Orbit Number 79232 Latitude 12.9315 Longitude 179.284 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-10-25 06 48

This VIS image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows Tinto Vallis (middle of image) and Palos Crater (top of image).

Terra Sabaea. Today's VIS image is located in northern Terra Sabaea, on the topographic boundary between the highlands of Terra Sabaea and the lower elevations of Utopia Planitia. Numerous channels and graben dissect this region. Orbit Number 94023 Latitude 33.809 Longitude 67.6676 Instrument VIS Captured 2023-02-24 03 59 https //photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25943

The dark slope streaks in this image are located on the rim of an unnamed crater east of Schiaparelli Crater taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows lava flows that cover the steep embankment called Olympus Rupes on the margin of Olympus Mons.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows the dune field on the floor of Nili Patera.

Lava-Filled Craters

Today's VIS shows one of the small channels in Locras Valles. Located in Terra Sabaea, Locras Valles is a group of channels that dissect the plains north of several unnamed craters, the rims of which create the highland where the channels start. Orbit Number 80709 Latitude 8.66574 Longitude 49.3643 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-02-23 21 34

Indus Vallis

This image shows a small portion of the extensive lava flows created by the large Tharsis volcanoes as seen by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft. These flows are located north east of Ascraeus Mons.

Hale Crater. Today's VIS image shows part of the floor of Hale Crater and the elongate axis of the central peak mountains. Hale Crater is an example of an oblique impact crater. The mountain chain trends from the southeast towards the northwest, increasing in height towards the northwest. The incoming meteor struck the surface along this trend, forming an oval crater and displacing the impact energy forward to create the central mountain range. Hale Crater is located near the northern part of Argye Plainitia. Orbit Number 91600 Latitude -35.5357 Longitude 323.628 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-08-08 14 50

Ismeniae Fossae. Ismeniae Fossae is a large region containing irregular mesas and valleys. Located in northeastern Arabia Terra, it is 287 km (178 miles) across. Orbit Number 94024 Latitude 40.0071 Longitude 37.8469 Instrument VIS Captured 2023-02-24 06 00 https //photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25945

This VIS image shows part of the southern rim of Cerulli Crater. The top elevation of the Cerulli Crater rim is located inapproximately the center of the VIS image. The top half of the image is the interior rim, with numerous channels dissecting it and flowing down onto the crater floor. The lower half of the image is the outer crater rim. Cerulli Crater is located in Arabia Terra. Orbit Number 78601 Latitude 31.4997 Longitude 21.5838 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-09-03 07 53

This image, captured by NASA's Mars Odyssey on May 23, 2010 of Daedalia Planum, shows various lava flows from Arsia Mons.

Impact craters can be created anywhere on the surface of Mars at any time. This image taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows a crater located on the floor of Coprates Chasma.

These dust devil tracks are located in the region surrounding Hooke Crater as seen by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

Numerous channels dissect the rim of this large crater located on Acheron Fossae as seen by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

The linear depressions in this VIS image are part of Sirenum Fossae. These depressions are called graben, which form by the down drop of material between two parallel faults. The faults are caused by tectonic stresses in the region. The Sirenum Fossae graben are 2735km (1700 miles) long. Orbit Number 83262 Latitude -33.4902 Longitude 203.133 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-09-21 02 25

The erosion of the western rim of Hellas Basin has exposed a surface composed of layered material

As crater size increases, craters become more complex. This moderate size crater contains a central peak, created by rebound of molten material just following the impact. This image was captured by NASA's Mars Odyssey on Sept. 8, 2010.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows two craters in Terra Cimmeria.

Landslides

Crater Floor Dune Field

Several landslides occurred on this steep cliff face in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

Multiple channels dissect the inner rim of this unnamed crater in Terra Cimmeria. Orbit Number 82765 Latitude -40.3953 Longitude 142.091 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-08-11 04 15

MSIP: Multinational Research in Memnonia Fossae

The linear depressions in today's VIS image are part of Nili Fossae. Nili Fossae is a collection of curved faults and down-dropped blocks of crust between the faults called graben. The graben lie northeast of the large volcano Syrtis Major and northwest of the ancient impact basin Isidis Planitia. Graben are formed by extension of the crust and faulting. When large amounts of pressure or tension are applied to rocks on timescales that are fast enough that the rock cannot respond by deforming, the rock breaks along faults. In the case of a graben, two parallel faults are formed by extension of the crust and the rock in between the faults drops downward into the space created by the extension. The crustal deformation in this region was in response to the basin forming event that created Isidis Planitia. The Nili Fossae graben arc around the northwestern edge of the planitia. The graben occur in many different widths. Orbit Number 88919 Latitude 22.3384 Longitude 77.6092 Instrument VIS Ca

This image, taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, shows a portion of the rim and floor of Gale Crater. The crater rim is dissected by a channel, and dunes are located on the floor at the rim margin.

The linear depressions in today's VIS image are part of Nili Fossae. Nili Fossae is a collection of curved faults and down-dropped blocks of crust between the faults called graben. The graben lie northeast of the large volcano Syrtis Major and northwest of the ancient impact basin Isidis Planitia. Graben are formed by extension of the crust and faulting. When large amounts of pressure or tension are applied to rocks on timescales that are fast enough that the rock cannot respond by deforming, the rock breaks along faults. In the case of a graben, two parallel faults are formed by extension of the crust and the rock in between the faults drops downward into the space created by the extension. The crustal deformation in this region was in response to the basin forming event that created Isidis Planitia. The Nili Fossae graben arc around the northwestern edge of the planitia. The graben occur in many different widths. Orbit Number 88033 Latitude 22.7248 Longitude 78.5195 Instrument VIS Ca

A delta deposit is located where a channel enters Ismenius Cavus in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

Multiple channels dissect the northern flank of Ceraunius Tholus in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

$This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a small portion of a east/west trending fracture in Thaumasia Planum.$

The eroded, layered deposit in this NASA Mars Odyssey image of Gale Crater is a mound of material rising 3 km (about 2 miles) above the crater floor. It has been sculpted by wind and possibly water to produce the dramatic landforms seen today.

These lava flows are part of Olympus Mons

More Dark Slope Streaks

These dunes are located on the floor of an unnamed crater in Terra Cimmeria in this image captured by NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

The dunes and landslides in this image occur within Coprates Chasma

This image, taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, shows a small section of Naktong Vallis.

Dark Slope Streaks

Eberswalde Crater. Today's VIS image shows part of the floor of Eberwalde Crater. A large delta deposit is located just to the northwest of this image. This crater once hosted a lake, and the floor is covered with layered materials. Clays have been identified, the result of the interaction of water and eroded materials from the crater floor, as well as the influx of sediments from the channel that created the delta. Eberswalde Crater is 62 km in diameter (38 miles). Orbit Number 91862 Latitude -24.1163 Longitude 326.755 Instrument VIS Captured 2022-08-30 04 31 https //photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA25715

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows a small channel emptying into a deeper crater to the west.

Channels

Today's VIS image shows part of Indus Vallis, located in northern Terra Sabaea. The valley system is over 300 km (186 miles) long. Orbit Number 79137 Latitude 18.6453 Longitude 39.3279 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-10-17 11 06

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located in Aeolis Mensae, east of Gale Crater.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows a scallop-edged depression, called Coprates Catena, parallels the main alignment of Vallis Marineris.

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows the sunrise shadow of the crater rim on the crater floor.

The wind is eroding some of the materials in this region more readily than others, indicating a complex surface history

This image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is located on the boundary between Terra Sabaea and Utopia Planitia - west of yesterday's image location.

The linear depressions in today's VIS image are part of Nili Fossae. Nili Fossae is a collection of curved faults and down-dropped blocks of crust between the faults called graben. The graben lie northeast of the large volcano Syrtis Major and northwest of the ancient impact basin Isidis Planitia. Graben are formed by extension of the crust and faulting. When large amounts of pressure or tension are applied to rocks on timescales that are fast enough that the rock cannot respond by deforming, the rock breaks along faults. In the case of a graben, two parallel faults are formed by extension of the crust and the rock in between the faults drops downward into the space created by the extension. The crustal deformation in this region was in response to the basin forming event that created Isidis Planitia. The Nili Fossae graben arc around the northwestern edge of the planitia. The graben occur in many different widths. Orbit Number 94996 Latitude 24.3161 Longitude 79.084 Instrument VIS Cap

Gullies

This image taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows a small portion of Auqakuh Vallis.

Today's VIS image shows part of the summit caldera of Arsia Mons. Arsia Mons is the southernmost of the three large Tharsis volcanoes. Extensive lava plains originated from eruptions of this volcano. On the left side of the image are two hills with linear depressions at the top. These features are vents where localized eruptions created small volcanoes. Orbit Number 77296 Latitude -9.56554 Longitude 239.266 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-05-18 20 32

Layers in Gale Crater Central Mound

Today's VIS image shows a small section of Uzboi Vallis. This valley system arises just north of Argyre Planitia and flows northward into Holden Crater. Orbit Number 81698 Latitude -31.0656 Longitude 322.924 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-05-15 07 45

$This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft shows evidence of tectonic stresses that deform and fracture rocks and planetary surfaces. Right angles seen here are a good indication that the feature was formed by tectonic stresses.$

Today's VIS image shows part of an unnamed crater in southern Terra Cimmeria. The rim of the crater is dissected by several channels (top of image) and the floor contains a small group of sand dunes (bottom of image). Orbit Number 84031 Latitude -33.338 Longitude 163.552 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-11-23 09 26

The unnamed channels in this image captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft are located in Terra Cimmeria.

Today's image shows the contact of the southern flank of Ascraeus Mons and the surrounding Tharsis region lava flows. This boundary contains several tectonic factures and collapse features. Ascraeus is the northenmost of the three aligned Tharsis volcaones and is the tallest at 18,225meters (59,793ft). Orbit Number 82062 Latitude 8.4003 Longitude 256.42 Instrument VIS Captured 2020-06-14 07 17

This image from NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft is just slightly south of yesterday's, and shows how close the dunes are to the crater rim.

Exhumation of craters, the uncovering of old craters hidden from view by younger surface material, is common in many regions of Mars. This crater and its covering material are located in Amazonis Planitia

Melas Chasma is part of the largest canyon system on Mars, Valles Marineris. At only 563 km long (349 miles) it is not the longest canyon, but it is the widest. Located in the center of Valles Marineris, it has depths up to 9 km below the surrounding plains, and is the location of many large landslide deposits, as will as layered materials and sand dunes. There is evidence of both water and wind action as modes of formation for many of the interior deposits. This VIS image is located right at the edge of the canyon with the surrounding plains - the flat area at the bottom of the image. Some small landslide deposits are visible originating at the cliff side. The Odyssey spacecraft has spent over 15 years in orbit around Mars, circling the planet more than 69000 times. It holds the record for longest working spacecraft at Mars. THEMIS, the IR/VIS camera system, has collected data for the entire mission and provides images covering all seasons and lighting conditions. Over the years many

Nanedi Vallis: Tributaries and Albedo Changes

Today's VIS image is located on the margin of the Terra Sabaea highlands and the Nilosyrtis Mensae lowlands. The drop off is very steep - about 18,000 ft. This edge circles the northern hemisphere of Mars and is called the crustal dichotomy. The process that created this dichotomy is unknown. In the transition region, the highlands break up into mesas and valleys, like those seen in this image. Orbit Number 77302 Latitude 34.8294 Longitude 59.9418 Instrument VIS Captured 2019-05-19 08 38

This image, taken by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft, shows a portion of the lava flows associated with Arsia Mons.

This image from NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey shows channels dissecting the northwestern rim of Holden Crater.

The side of this hill in Phlegra Montes appears darker than its surroundings. Covering material may have slumped off the steep slope due to gravity

Dunes can be seen in the bottom and upper right central parts this image of Terra Cimmeria captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft.

Landslide

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