Newly released images from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express orbiter have captured a breathtaking view of the massive “scar” on the surface of Mars, known as the Aganippe Fossa.
This remarkable geological formation is a graben, a steep-walled trench that stretches for about 600 kilometers in length – longer than the Grand Canyon.
These images offer unprecedented detail, shedding light on the complex geological history of the Red Planet and providing fresh insights into its dynamic past.
Close-up observations from Mars Express
Orbiter Mars Express orbiting Red planet since 2003, took these stunning images on December 13, 2023. Newly released photos reveal intricate details Aganippe Fossa and its surrounding landscape.
On the left side of the scar, the terrain is characterized by uneven terrain with numerous mounds, grooves and elevations. In contrast, the right side appears smoother and displays distinct “zebra-like” rock stripes.
ESA officials explained that this stark difference is likely due to historical wind erosion that affected one side more than the other, stating: “This stark difference was likely due to historical wind erosion to the right of the grabber that wore away the planet’s surface. however, in this area it is not clear why the rest of the surrounding landscape was untouched.”
Origin and geological significance
Aganippe Fossa is located near the base Arsia Mons, one of the largest volcanoes on Mars, located on the Tharsis Plateau. The area is geologically rich and features two other major volcanoes – Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons – and the highest peak in the solar system, Olympus Mons.
Formation Aganippe Fossa It is thought to be the result of a large plume of magma that collected beneath Arsia Mons and caused the Martian crust to stretch and crack. ESA officials elaborated, noting, “We’re still not sure how or when Aganippe Fossa formed, but it seems likely that it formed when magma rising beneath the colossal mass of Tharsis volcanoes caused the Martian crust to stretch and crack.” “
This geological activity highlights the dynamic and volcanic nature of Mars’ history and reveals the powerful forces that shaped the planet’s surface over millions of years.
Comparison with other features of Mars
While Aganippe Fossa longer than the Grand Canyon, it is still significantly shorter than Mars’ Valles Marineris, which stretches over 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) along the planet’s equator, making it the largest canyon in the Solar System.
Similar grabens exist in Noctis Labyrinthusa mighty canyon the size of Italy, located between Tharsis and Valles Marineris. These comparisons highlight the diverse and dramatic landscape of Mars, illustrating the planet’s rich geological complexity.
ESA explained: “Aganippe Fossa is one of many classic albedo features on Mars, which refer to bright and dark features that can be seen on the planet even with ground-based telescopes.”
Scientific research in progress
Images captured by the user Mars Express they not only highlight the dramatic features of Aganippe Foss, but also contribute to our understanding of Martian geology. The area around Tharsis, including the Arsia Mons volcanic halo, continues to attract scientists.
The area has also been the focus of recent discoveries, such as a hidden giant volcano nearby Noctis Labyrinthus and over 150,000 tons of frozen water over the tops of three Tharsis volcanoes. ESA commented: “The mission has been enormously productive during its lifetime, creating a far more complete and accurate understanding of our planetary neighbor than ever before.”
These new pictures Aganippe Fossa they provide a striking reminder of Mars’ dynamic past and its ongoing geologic activity. They also highlight the incredible capabilities of modern space exploration instruments, such as the Mars Express orbiter, which continue to advance our understanding of the Red Planet.
Mars Express and other missions continue to explore the Red Planet, promising to reveal even more about its complex and fascinating geological history and offer new insights into the processes that shaped our neighboring world.
