High Cliffs Surrounding Echus Chasma on Mars
Credit: G. Neukum (FU Berlin) et al., Mars Express, DLR, ESA
Posted on 07/23/2008 2:34:18 PM PDT by sig226
Explanation: What created this great cliff on Mars? Did giant waterfalls once plummet through its grooves? With a four-kilometer drop, this high cliff surrounding Echus Chasma, near an impressive impact crater, was carved by either water or lava. A leading hypothesis is that Echus Chasma, at 100-kilometers long and 10-kilometers wide, was once one of the largest water sources on Mars. If true, water once held in Echus Chasma likely ran over the Martian surface to carve the impressive Kasei Valles, which extends over 3,000 kilometers to the north. Even if initially carved by water, lava appears to have later flowed in the valley, leaving an extraordinarily smooth floor. Echus Chasma lies north of tremendous Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the Solar System. The above image was taken by the robotic Mars Express spacecraft currently orbiting Mars.
I always look forward to these pics....thank you for posting them
Holy Smokes! Yeah, reminds me of some places in the West I’ve visited. BTW, I’ll be in central New Mexico for a week beginning the 6th of September...any suggestions? Photo ops?
Or the Mogollon Rim in Arizona.
A four kilometer (2.48 mile) drop is a pretty big ravine. The Grand Canyon is only one mile deep at its deepest.
Wow, thanks... I am astounded at the pictures we get from these far away places.
I’ve only driven through the state, but this reminded me of the landscape.
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