Mangala Valles

Today's VIS image shows a small section of Mangala Valles. Mangala Valles is a complex channel more than 900km long (560 miles). The channel system starts near Mangala Fossae, a large tectonic feature that intersects the volcanic plains of Daedalia Planum. Like other channels in the region, Mangala Valles flows northward, eventually emptying into southern Amazonis Planitia. Visible at the top of the image are tear-drop shaped hills within the channel. These features are called streamlined islands and the narrow "tail" points down stream.