Orcus Patera Dark Slope Streaks

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.