Surface Modification

This THEMIS image shows parts of the dissected and eroded remnants of an impact crater rim and volcanic material located north of Apollinaris Patera near the southern highlands - northern lowlands dichotomy on Mars. The rugged terrain observed in the context image of the region has been interpreted as lava flows interbedded with eolian or volcanic pyroclastics while the more smooth terrain has been interpreted as ancient channel deposits. The high resolution THEMIS image shows the effects of erosion on these materials as parts of the rim have been dissected into a chaotic terrain. Smaller and heavily eroded impact craters are also observed in the image and are evidence of the powerful effects of erosion.