Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet

Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet

View of Cerberus Fossae from Mars Express

These amazing Martian trenches appeared because of faults that stretched the surface of the planet less than 10 million years ago. The images were obtained on March 27 by the ESA Mars Express, where it was possible to capture a part of the Cerberus Fossae system in the Elysium region near the Martian equator.

The word “fossae” in Latin is translated as “ditches” or “trenches”. These formations extend more than 1000 km from northwest to southeast. They cross distant craters and hills, as well as volcanic plains with an age of 10 million years, which indicates the relative youth of their formation.

The width reaches from several tens of meters to more than a kilometer. They are considered tectonic elements that appear as a result of faults, which stretch the upper layers of the surface from each other. Perhaps they are associated with the entry of lava to a depth that deforms the surface above. It is likely that the cause was three volcanoes located in the north-west.

The rounded collapsing pits observed in the northern part indicate an early stage of surface subsidence. In other places, rounded elements are seen, combined into longer cracks.

Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet

Cerberus Fossae in the context of

Scientists exploring this site suggested that fractures could penetrate the crust to a certain depth, allowing lava or groundwater to come to the surface. In the west, one can see the outflow channel of the Athabasca Valley, which connects to the well system. Dark material in the largest crater in the north and around some cracks - sand blown away on the Martian surface.

Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet View on Cerberus Fossae

During the mission, Mars-Express got more than 40,000 images of Mars and its two satellites. For this, a high-quality stereo camera and a visual control camera were used. The device also received an extensive collection of information using a set of scientific tools analyzing the planet regarding its ionosphere, atmosphere and interaction with the solar wind (radar is used).

Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet

Perspective view of Cerberus Fossae

Fresh Martian tectonics: deep faults on the Red Planet

Topographic view of Cerberus Fossae

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