Hydaspis Chaos

Today's VIS image shows part of Hydaspis Chaos, one of many regions of chaos in Margaritifer Terra. Chaos terrain is typified by mesas and valleys. The initial breakup of the surface can be due to tectonic forces, although on Mars it is thought that the mode of formation involves release of melted subsurface ice. With time and erosion the valleys widen and the mesas grow smaller. Hydaspis Chaos is is part of the huge outflow system flowing from Valles Marineris to Chryse Planitia. The channel in the center of the image becomes part of the larger Tiu Valles channel.