PIA03752: Mesas and troughs in Nilosyrtis region, Mars


Mesas and troughs in Nilosyrtis region, Mars

Caption:

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a region of flat-topped mesas separated by valleys or troughs of similar depth and width. The valley floors have been covered by a material that has subsequently developed thin cracks and collapse pits aligned along some of these cracks. A few outcrops of layered material occur in the valleys as well. The valleys probably originally formed by faulting; the origin of the mantling material is unknown. The image covers an area approximately 2.3 km (1.4 miles) wide and was acquired in May 2001. Sunlight illuminates the scene from the lower left.

Cataloging Keywords:

Name Value Additional Values
Target Mars
System
Target Type Planet
Mission Mars Global Surveyor (MGS)
Instrument Host Mars Global Surveyor
Host Type Orbiter
Instrument Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC)
Detector
Extra Keywords Grayscale
Acquisition Date
Release Date 2002-04-23
Date in Caption
Image Credit NASA/JPL/MSSS
Source photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03752
Identifier PIA03752