Cerberus Fossae

Scaled Image

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

About this image

The linear depressions at the top half of this VIS image are graben that called Cerberus Fossae. Graben form where extensional tectonic forces allows blocks of material to subside between paired faults. Cerberus Fossae are located in Elysium Planitia, southeast of the Elysium Mons volcanic complex.

This graben is also the source of significant liquid flows, which created Athabasca Valles. The actual formation liquid proposed include flood water, low viscosity lava, and even glaciers. It is possible that water and lava both played a role in creating the channel system.

Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images. 

Context

Image ID: 
V78821007 (View data in Mars Image Explorer)
10.1133
157.297
78821
2019-09-21 10:33
Wed, 2019-10-16
VIS
512 pixels (18 km)
1824 pixels (66 km)
0.036285 km/pixel
0.0365 km/pixel

Downloads

PNG | JPEG (high res) | JPEG (reduced res) | PDF | TIFF