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Coordinates: 15°00′N 292°30′W / 15°N 292.5°W / 15; -292.5
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{{short description|One of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars}}
{{short description|One of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
{{Too many photos|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox feature on celestial object
{{Infobox feature on celestial object
|name = Syrtis Major [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]]
|name = Syrtis Major [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]]
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[[File:Syrtis Major MC-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Image of the Syrtis Major Quadrangle (MC-13). The central part contains [[Syrtis Major Planum]]. The east includes [[Isidis basin]] and the west and north includes heavily cratered highlands.]]
[[File:Syrtis Major MC-13.jpg|thumb|300px|Image of the Syrtis Major Quadrangle (MC-13). The central part contains [[Syrtis Major Planum]]. The east includes [[Isidis basin]] and the west and north includes heavily cratered highlands.]]
The '''Syrtis Major [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]]''' is one of a series of [[list of quadrangles on Mars|30 quadrangle maps of Mars]] used by the [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS) [[Astrogeology Research Program]]. The Syrtis Major quadrangle is also referred to as MC-13 (Mars Chart-13).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=M. E. |last2=Batson |first2=R. M. |last3=Wu |first3=S. S. C. |chapter=Geodesy and Cartography |editor1-last=Kieffer |editor1-first=H. H. |editor2-last=Jakosky |editor2-first=B. M. |editor3-last=Snyder |editor3-first=C. W. |editor4-last=Matthews |editor4-first=M. S. |title=Mars |publisher=University of Arizona Press |location=Tucson |year=1992 |isbn=0-8165-1257-4 }}</ref>
The '''Syrtis Major quadrangle''' is one of a series of [[list of quadrangles on Mars|30 quadrangle maps of Mars]] used by the [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS) [[Astrogeology Research Program]]. The Syrtis Major quadrangle is also referred to as MC-13 (Mars Chart-13).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=M. E. |last2=Batson |first2=R. M. |last3=Wu |first3=S. S. C. |chapter=Geodesy and Cartography |editor1-last=Kieffer |editor1-first=H. H. |editor2-last=Jakosky |editor2-first=B. M. |editor3-last=Snyder |editor3-first=C. W. |editor4-last=Matthews |editor4-first=M. S. |title=Mars |publisher=University of Arizona Press |location=Tucson |year=1992 |isbn=0-8165-1257-4 }}</ref>


The quadrangle covers longitudes 270° to 315° west and latitudes 0° to 30° north on [[Mars]]. Syrtis Major quadrangle includes [[Syrtis Major Planum]] and parts of [[Terra Sabaea]] and [[Isidis Planitia]].
The [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]] covers longitudes 270° to 315° west and latitudes 0° to 30° north on [[Mars]]. Syrtis Major quadrangle includes [[Syrtis Major Planum]] and parts of [[Terra Sabaea]] and [[Isidis Planitia]].


Syrtis Major is an old shield volcano with a central depression that is elongated in a north-south direction. It contains the calderas Meroe Patera and Nili Patera.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/SyrtisMajor.html|title=Syrtis Major}}</ref> Interesting features in the area include dikes and inverted terrain.
Syrtis Major is an old shield volcano with a central depression that is elongated in a north–south direction. It contains the calderas Meroe Patera and Nili Patera.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/SyrtisMajor.html|title=Syrtis Major|first=David|last=Darling|website=www.daviddarling.info}}</ref> Interesting features in the area include dikes and inverted terrain.


The ''[[Beagle 2]]'' lander was about to land near the quadrangle, particularly in the eastern part of [[Isidis Planitia]], in December 2003, when contact with the craft was lost. In January 2015, NASA reported the ''Beagle 2'' had been found on the surface in Isidis Planitia (location is about {{coord|11.5265|N|90.4295|E|globe:Mars}}).<ref name="TW-20150116">
The ''[[Beagle 2]]'' lander was about to land near the quadrangle, particularly in the eastern part of [[Isidis Planitia]], in December 2003, when contact with the craft was lost. In January 2015, NASA reported the ''Beagle 2'' had been found on the surface in Isidis Planitia (location is about {{coord|11.5265|N|90.4295|E|globe:Mars}}).<ref name="TW-20150116">
{{cite web |last=Ellison |first=Doug |title=re Beagle 2 location on Mars => "Using HiView on image ESP_039308_1915_COLOR.JP2 I get 90.4295E 11.5265N" |url=https://twitter.com/doug_ellison/status/556201983443357696 |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[Twitter]] & [[JPL]] |access-date=19 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20150116-TG">{{cite web |last1=Grecicius |first1=Tony |last2=Dunbar |first2=Brian |title=Components of Beagle 2 Flight System on Mars |url=http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/mars/pia19106/ |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=18 January 2015 }}</ref> High-resolution images captured by the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] identified [[Beagle 2#Discovery of Beagle 2 spacecraft on Mars|the lost probe]], which appears to be intact.<ref name="NASA-20150116">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title='Lost' 2003 Mars Lander Found by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter |url=http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/lost-2003-mars-lander-found-by-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/ |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=16 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20150116">
{{cite web |last=Ellison |first=Doug |title=re Beagle 2 location on Mars => "Using HiView on image ESP_039308_1915_COLOR.JP2 I get 90.4295E 11.5265N" |url=https://twitter.com/doug_ellison/status/556201983443357696 |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[Twitter]] & [[JPL]] |access-date=19 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="NASA-20150116-TG">{{cite web |last1=Grecicius |first1=Tony |last2=Dunbar |first2=Brian |title=Components of Beagle 2 Flight System on Mars |url=http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/mars/pia19106/ |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=18 January 2015 }}</ref> High-resolution images captured by the [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] identified [[Beagle 2#Discovery of Beagle 2 spacecraft on Mars|the lost probe]], which appears to be intact.<ref name="NASA-20150116">{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Guy |title='Lost' 2003 Mars Lander Found by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter |url=http://www.nasa.gov/jpl/lost-2003-mars-lander-found-by-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/ |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=16 January 2015 |archive-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224145904/https://www.nasa.gov/jpl/lost-2003-mars-lander-found-by-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="NYT-20150116">
{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Mars Orbiter Spots Beagle 2, European Lander Missing Since 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/science/space/missing-lander-beagle-2-finally-located-on-mars.html |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=17 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="BBC-20150116">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30784886 |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=16 January 2015}}</ref>
{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Mars Orbiter Spots Beagle 2, European Lander Missing Since 2003 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/17/science/space/missing-lander-beagle-2-finally-located-on-mars.html |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[New York Times]] |access-date=17 January 2015 }}</ref><ref name="BBC-20150116">{{cite news |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |title=Lost Beagle2 probe found 'intact' on Mars |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-30784886 |date=16 January 2015 |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=16 January 2015}}</ref>


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==Discovery and name==
==Discovery and name==
The name [[Syrtis Major Planum|Syrtis Major]] is derived from the classical [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] name ''Syrtis maior'' for the [[Gulf of Sidra]] on the coast of [[Libya]] (classical [[Cyrenaica]]). It is near Cyrene which is the place where "Simon" who carried the cross of Jesus was from.<ref>https://ferrelljenkins.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/libya-and-the-bible-%E2%80%94-more-than-you-think/ {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3JNQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA18|title=The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges|volume=59|year=1897}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVIOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA286|title = A history of the holy Bible, corrected and improved|first1=G.|last1=Gleig|last2 = Stackhouse|first2 = Thomas|year = 1817}}</ref>
The name [[Syrtis Major Planum|Syrtis Major]] is derived from the classical [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] name ''Syrtis maior'' for the [[Gulf of Sidra]] on the coast of [[Libya]] (classical [[Cyrenaica]]). It is near Cyrene which is the place where "Simon" who carried the cross of Jesus was from.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ferrelljenkins.blog/2011/03/30/libya-and-the-bible-%e2%80%94-more-than-you-think/|title=Libya and the Bible — more than you think|author=Andrew Petcher |date=March 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3JNQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA18|title=The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges|volume=59|year=1897}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jVIOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA286|title = A history of the holy Bible, corrected and improved|first1=G.|last1=Gleig|last2 = Stackhouse|first2 = Thomas|year = 1817}}</ref>


Syrtis Major is a distinctly dark region standing out against the lighter surrounding highlands, and was the first documented surface feature of another [[planet]]. It was discovered by [[Christiaan Huygens]], who included it in a drawing of Mars in 1659. The feature was originally known as the '''Hourglass Sea''' but has been given different names by different [[cartographer]]s. In 1840, [[Johann Heinrich von Mädler]] compiled a map of Mars from his observations and called the feature '''Atlantic Canale'''. In [[Richard Proctor]]'s 1867 map it is called then '''Kaiser Sea''' (after [[Frederik Kaiser]] of the [[Leiden Observatory]]). [[Camille Flammarion]] called it the '''Mer du Sablier''' (French for "Hourglass Sea") when he revised Proctor's nomenclature in 1876. The name "Syrtis Major" was chosen by [[Giovanni Schiaparelli]] when he created a map based on observations made during Mars' close approach to Earth in 1877.<ref>{{cite book| title=Mapping Mars: Science, Imagination, and the Birth of a World| first=Oliver| last=Morton| publisher=Picador USA| location=New York| date=2002| isbn=0-312-24551-3| pages=[https://archive.org/details/mappingmarsscien00mort_0/page/14 14]–15| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/mappingmarsscien00mort_0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/mars/chap04.htm|title=The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery - Chapter 4: Areographers|author=William Sheehan|access-date=2007-09-07|archive-date=2017-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701062415/http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/MARS/CHAP04.HTM|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Syrtis Major is a distinctly dark region standing out against the lighter surrounding highlands, and was the first documented surface feature of another [[planet]]. It was discovered by [[Christiaan Huygens]], who included it in a drawing of Mars in 1659. The feature was originally known as the '''Hourglass Sea''' but has been given different names by different [[cartographer]]s. In 1840, [[Johann Heinrich von Mädler]] compiled a map of Mars from his observations and called the feature '''Atlantic Canale'''. In [[Richard Proctor]]'s 1867 map it is called then '''Kaiser Sea''' (after [[Frederik Kaiser]] of the [[Leiden Observatory]]). [[Camille Flammarion]] called it the '''Mer du Sablier''' (French for "Hourglass Sea") when he revised Proctor's nomenclature in 1876. The name "Syrtis Major" was chosen by [[Giovanni Schiaparelli]] when he created a map based on observations made during Mars' close approach to Earth in 1877.<ref>{{cite book| title=Mapping Mars: Science, Imagination, and the Birth of a World| first=Oliver| last=Morton| publisher=Picador USA| location=New York| date=2002| isbn=0-312-24551-3| pages=[https://archive.org/details/mappingmarsscien00mort_0/page/14 14]–15| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/mappingmarsscien00mort_0}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/mars/chap04.htm|title=The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery - Chapter 4: Areographers|author=William Sheehan|access-date=2007-09-07|archive-date=2017-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701062415/http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/MARS/CHAP04.HTM|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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Syrtis Major is of great interest to geologists because several types of igneous rocks have been found there with orbiting spacecraft. Besides [[basalt]], [[dacite]] and [[granite]] have been found there. Dacite originates under [[volcanoes]] in [[magma]] chambers. Dacites form at the top of the chamber, after heavy minerals ([[olivine]] and [[pyroxene]]) containing [[iron]] and [[magnesium]] have settled to the bottom. Granite is formed by an even more complex process.<ref>Christensen, P. 2005. "The Many Faces of Mars". ''Scientific American''. July, 2005.</ref>
Syrtis Major is of great interest to geologists because several types of igneous rocks have been found there with orbiting spacecraft. Besides [[basalt]], [[dacite]] and [[granite]] have been found there. Dacite originates under [[volcanoes]] in [[magma]] chambers. Dacites form at the top of the chamber, after heavy minerals ([[olivine]] and [[pyroxene]]) containing [[iron]] and [[magnesium]] have settled to the bottom. Granite is formed by an even more complex process.<ref>Christensen, P. 2005. "The Many Faces of Mars". ''Scientific American''. July, 2005.</ref>


Some areas of Syrtis Major contain large amounts of the mineral olivine. Olivine turns into other minerals very rapidly in the presence of water, so a high abundance of olivine suggests that for a long time little water has been there.<ref>http://www.marsdaily.com/news-odyssey-05a.html{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Some areas of Syrtis Major contain large amounts of the mineral olivine. Olivine turns into other minerals very rapidly in the presence of water, so a high abundance of olivine suggests that for a long time little water has been there.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://themis.asu.edu/node/5396 |title=7. Olivine-rich rocks point to cold, dry martian past |publisher=Mars Space Flight Facility, Arizona State University |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>


==Minerals==
==Minerals==
A variety of important minerals have been discovered near [[Nili Fossae]], a major trough system in Syrtis major. Besides a large exposure of olivine located in Nili Fossae. Other minerals found there include carbonates, aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, and iron oxides.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7791060.stm "Nasa finds 'missing' Mars mineral"]</ref><ref name="Murchie, S. 2009">Murchie, S. et al. 2009. "A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter". ''Journal of Geophysical Research'': 114. E00D06.</ref> In December 2008, [[NASA]]'s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain [[carbonate minerals]], a geologically significant discovery.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7791060.stm NASA finds 'missing' Mars mineral]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/30746-mars-missing-atmosphere-lost-in-space.html|title=Mars' Missing Atmosphere Likely Lost in Space|website=[[Space.com]]|date=5 October 2015}}</ref><ref>Edwards, C., B. Ehlmann. 2015. "Carbon sequestration on Mars". ''Geology'': doi: 10.1130/G36983.1.</ref> Later research published in October 2010, described a large deposit of carbonate rocks found inside Leighton Crater at a level that was once buried 4 miles (6&nbsp;km) below the surface. Finding carbonates in an underground location strongly suggests that Mars was warmer and had more atmospheric carbon dioxide and ancient seas. Because the carbonates were near silicate minerals and clays hydrothermal systems like the deep sea vents on Earth may have been present.<ref>http://www.astrobio.net/pressrelease/3646/exposed-rocks-point-to water-on-ancient-mars</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">1.Adrian J. Brown, Simon J. Hook, Alice M. Baldridge, James K. Crowley, Nathan T. Bridges, Bradley J. Thomson, Giles M. Marion, Carlos R. de Souza Filho, [[Janice Bishop|Janice L. Bishop]]. "Hydrothermal formation of Clay-Carbonate alteration assemblages in the Nili Fossae region of Mars". ''Earth and Planetary Science Letters'', 2010; {{doi|10.1016/j.epsl.2010.06.018}}</ref>
A variety of important minerals have been discovered near [[Nili Fossae]], a major trough system in Syrtis major. Besides a large exposure of olivine located in Nili Fossae. Other minerals found there include carbonates, aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, and iron oxides.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7791060.stm|title=Nasa finds 'missing' Mars mineral|date=December 19, 2008|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="Murchie, S. 2009">{{cite journal | doi=10.1029/2009JE003342 | title=A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter | date=2009 | last1=Murchie | first1=Scott L. | last2=Mustard | first2=John F. | last3=Ehlmann | first3=Bethany L. | last4=Milliken | first4=Ralph E. | last5=Bishop | first5=Janice L. | last6=McKeown | first6=Nancy K. | last7=Noe Dobrea | first7=Eldar Z. | last8=Seelos | first8=Frank P. | last9=Buczkowski | first9=Debra L. | last10=Wiseman | first10=Sandra M. | last11=Arvidson | first11=Raymond E. | last12=Wray | first12=James J. | last13=Swayze | first13=Gregg | last14=Clark | first14=Roger N. | last15=Des Marais | first15=David J. | last16=McEwen | first16=Alfred S. | last17=Bibring | first17=Jean-Pierre | journal=Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets | volume=114 | issue=E2 | bibcode=2009JGRE..114.0D06M }}</ref> In December 2008, [[NASA]]'s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain [[carbonate minerals]], a geologically significant discovery.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/30746-mars-missing-atmosphere-lost-in-space.html|title=Mars' Missing Atmosphere Likely Lost in Space|website=[[Space.com]]|date=5 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi=10.1130/G36983.1 | title=Carbon sequestration on Mars | date=2015 | last1=Edwards | first1=Christopher S. | last2=Ehlmann | first2=Bethany L. | journal=Geology | volume=43 | issue=10 | pages=863–866 | bibcode=2015Geo....43..863E | url=https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20150827-175842753 }}</ref> Later research published in October 2010, described a large deposit of carbonate rocks found inside Leighton Crater at a level that was once buried 4 miles (6&nbsp;km) below the surface. Finding carbonates in an underground location strongly suggests that Mars was warmer and had more atmospheric carbon dioxide and ancient seas. Because the carbonates were near silicate minerals and clays hydrothermal systems like the deep sea vents on Earth may have been present.<ref>{{cite web |last=<!--not stated--> |title=Exposed Rocks Point to Water on Ancient Mars |work=[[Astrobiology Magazine]] |date=2010-10-13 |url=http://www.astrobio.net/pressrelease/3646/exposed-rocks-point-to-water-on-ancient-mars |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629125815/http://www.astrobio.net/pressrelease/3646/exposed-rocks-point-to |archive-date=2011-06-29}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.epsl.2010.06.018 | title=Hydrothermal formation of Clay-Carbonate alteration assemblages in the Nili Fossae region of Mars | date=2010 | last1=Brown | first1=Adrian J. | last2=Hook | first2=Simon J. | last3=Baldridge | first3=Alice M. | last4=Crowley | first4=James K. | last5=Bridges | first5=Nathan T. | last6=Thomson | first6=Bradley J. | last7=Marion | first7=Giles M. | last8=De Souza Filho | first8=Carlos R. | last9=Bishop | first9=Janice L. | journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters | volume=297 | issue=1–2 | pages=174–182 | arxiv=1402.1150 | bibcode=2010E&PSL.297..174B }}</ref>


Other minerals found by the MRO are aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, iron oxides, and talc.<ref name="Murchie, S. 2009"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Other minerals found by the MRO are aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, iron oxides, and talc.<ref name="Murchie, S. 2009"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>
NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of methane, raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.<ref>[http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/15/mars-methane-life.html Mars Methane Found, Raising Possibility of Life]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7829315.stm New light on Mars methane mystery]</ref>
NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of methane, raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.<ref>[http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/15/mars-methane-life.html Mars Methane Found, Raising Possibility of Life]</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7829315.stm|title=New light on Mars methane mystery|date=January 15, 2009|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>


Research published in the fall of 2010, describes the discovery of hydrated silica on the flanks of a volcanic cone. The deposit was from a steam [[fumarole]] or hot spring, and it represents a recent habitable microenvironment. The {{convert|100|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|sp=us}} cone rests on the floor of Nili Patera. Observations were obtained with NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=31980|title = Silica on Mars Volcano Tells of Wet and Cozy Past| date=31 October 2010 }}</ref>
Research published in the fall of 2010, describes the discovery of hydrated silica on the flanks of a volcanic cone. The deposit was from a steam [[fumarole]] or hot spring, and it represents a recent habitable microenvironment. The {{convert|100|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|sp=us}} cone rests on the floor of Nili Patera. Observations were obtained with NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/silica-on-a-mars-volcano-tells-of-wet-and-cozy-past |title=Silica on Mars Volcano Tells of Wet and Cozy Past |publisher=JPL |date=31 October 2010 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>


== Dikes ==
== Dikes ==
Narrow ridges occur in some places on Mars. They may be formed by different means, but some are probably caused by molten rock moving underground, cooling into hard rock, then being exposed by the erosion of softer, surrounding materials. Such a feature is termed a dike. They are common on Earth—some famous ones are [[Shiprock]], [[New Mexico]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/2005/10/13/|title = Mars Global Surveyor MOC2-1249 Release}}</ref> around [[Spanish Peaks]], [[Colorado]];<ref>{{Cite book |isbn = 0-87842-105-X|title = Roadside Geology of Colorado|last1 = Chronic|first1 = Halka|date = January 1980}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |isbn = 0-7167-2438-3|title = Petrology, Second Edition: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic|last1 = Blatt|first1 = Harvey|last2 = Tracy|first2 = Robert|date = 1995-12-15}}</ref> and the "Iron Dike" in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]], Colorado.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 0-8403-4619-0|title = Geology of National Parks|last1 = Harris|first1 = Ann G.|last2 = Tuttle|first2 = Esther|year = 1990}}</ref>
Narrow ridges occur in some places on Mars. They may be formed by different means, but some are probably caused by molten rock moving underground, cooling into hard rock, then being exposed by the erosion of softer, surrounding materials. Such a feature is termed a dike. They are common on Earth—some famous ones are [[Shiprock]], [[New Mexico]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/2005/10/13/|title = Mars Global Surveyor MOC2-1249 Release}}</ref> around [[Spanish Peaks]], [[Colorado]];<ref>{{Cite book |isbn = 0-87842-105-X|title = Roadside Geology of Colorado|last1 = Chronic|first1 = Halka|date = January 1980| publisher=Mountain Press Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |isbn = 0-7167-2438-3|title = Petrology, Second Edition: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic|last1 = Blatt|first1 = Harvey|last2 = Tracy|first2 = Robert|date = 1995-12-15}}</ref> and the "Iron Dike" in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]], Colorado.<ref>{{Cite book|isbn = 0-8403-4619-0|title = Geology of National Parks|last1 = Harris|first1 = Ann G.|last2 = Tuttle|first2 = Esther|year = 1990| publisher=Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company }}</ref>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px">
Image:Dikes-large.jpg|Dikes near Shiprock, New Mexico
Image:Dikes-large.jpg|Dikes near Shiprock, New Mexico
Image:WestSpanishPeakCO.jpg|WestSpanishPeak, CO
Image:WestSpanishPeakCO.jpg|West Spanish Peak, Colorado
</gallery>
</gallery>


The discovery on Mars of dikes that were formed from molten rock is highly significant because dikes indicate the existence of intrusive igneous activity. On the Earth such activity is associated with precious metals like gold, silver, and [[tellurium]].<ref name="ccvgoldmining.com">{{Cite web |url=http://ccvgoldmining.com/Geology/geology.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-11-13 |archive-date=2011-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516160553/http://ccvgoldmining.com/Geology/geology.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dikes and other intrusive structures are common in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado;<ref name="ccvgoldmining.com"/> the Battle Mountain-Eureka area in north-central Nevada, famous for gold and [[molybdenum]] deposits;<ref>http://www.mirandagold.com/s/Coal/Canyon.asp</ref> and around the [[Franklin dike swarm]] in Canada.
The discovery on Mars of dikes that were formed from molten rock is highly significant because dikes indicate the existence of intrusive igneous activity. On the Earth such activity is associated with precious metals like gold, silver, and [[tellurium]].<ref name="ccvgoldmining.com">{{Cite web |url=http://ccvgoldmining.com/Geology/geology.html |title=Geology of the Cripple Creek Mining District |access-date=2010-11-13 |archive-date=2011-05-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516160553/http://ccvgoldmining.com/Geology/geology.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Dikes and other intrusive structures are common in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado;<ref name="ccvgoldmining.com"/> the Battle Mountain-Eureka area in north-central Nevada, famous for gold and [[molybdenum]] deposits;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://portergeo.com.au/database/mineinfo.asp?mineid=mn1127 |title=PorterGeo Database - Ore Deposit Description |publisher=PorterGeo |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref> and around the [[Franklin dike swarm]] in Canada.
Mapping the presence of dikes allows us to understand how [[magma]] (molten rock under the ground) travels and where it could have interacted with surrounding rock, thus producing valuable [[ores]]. Deposits of important minerals are also made by dikes and other igneous [[intrusion]]s heating water which then dissolves minerals that are deposited in cracks in nearby rock.<ref>Namowitz, S. and D. Stone. 1975. ''Earth Science-The World We Live In''. American Book Company. Ny, NY</ref> One would expect a great deal of intrusive igneous activity to occur on Mars because it is believed there is more igneous activity under the ground than on top, and Mars has many huge volcanoes.<ref>Crisp, J. 1984. "Rates of magma emplacement and volcanic output". ''J. Volcanlo. Geotherm. Res'': 20. 177-211.</ref>
Mapping the presence of dikes allows us to understand how [[magma]] (molten rock under the ground) travels and where it could have interacted with surrounding rock, thus producing valuable [[ores]]. Deposits of important minerals are also made by dikes and other igneous [[intrusion]]s heating water which then dissolves minerals that are deposited in cracks in nearby rock.<ref>Namowitz, S. and D. Stone. 1975. ''Earth Science-The World We Live In''. American Book Company. Ny, NY</ref> One would expect a great deal of intrusive igneous activity to occur on Mars because it is believed there is more igneous activity under the ground than on top, and Mars has many huge volcanoes.<ref>Crisp, J. 1984. "Rates of magma emplacement and volcanic output". ''J. Volcanlo. Geotherm. Res'': 20. 177-211.</ref>

<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 046403 2095dike.jpg|Possible dike, as seen by [[HiRISE]] under [[HiWish program]]
ESP 046403 2095dike.jpg|Possible dike, as seen by [[HiRISE]] under [[HiWish program]]
Image:Dike from HiWish program.JPG|Box outlines area in next image from HiRISE. Knobs and mesas were probably formed from the erosion of deposits in an old crater.
Image:Dike from HiWish program.JPG|Box outlines area in next image from HiRISE. Knobs and mesas were probably formed from the erosion of deposits in an old crater.
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{{Main|Linear ridge networks}}
{{Main|Linear ridge networks}}
Some crater floors in the Syrtis Major area show elongated ridges in a lattice-like pattern.<ref>Kerber, L., et al.
Some crater floors in the Syrtis Major area show elongated ridges in a lattice-like pattern. Such patterns are typical of [[fault (geology)|faults]] and breccia [[Dike (geology)|dikes]] formed as a result of an impact. Some have suggested that these [[linear ridge networks]] are dikes made up of molten rock; others have advanced the idea that other fluids such as water were involved.<ref>Saper, L., J. Mustard. 2013. "Extensive linear ridge networks in Nili Fossae and Nilosyrtis, Mars: implications for fluid flow in the ancient crust". ''Geophysical Research Letters'': 40, 245-249.</ref> The ridges are found where there has been enhanced [[erosion]]. Pictures below show examples of these dikes. Water may flow along faults. The water often carries minerals that serve to cement rock materials thus making them harder. Later when the whole area undergoes erosion the dikes will remain as ridges because they are more resistant to erosion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_008189_2080|title=HiRISE &#124; Ridges in Huo Hsing Vallis (PSP_008189_2080)}}</ref> This discovery may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because these types of faults and breccia dikes on earth are associated with key mineral resources.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-prospecting-ores-gold.html |title=Mining Mars? Where's the Ore? : Discovery News |access-date=2010-06-11 |archive-date=2012-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022144808/http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-prospecting-ores-gold.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>West, M. and J. Clarke. 2010. Potential Martian Resources: Mechanisms and Terrestrial Analogues: 58. 574-582</ref> It has been estimated that 25% of the Earth's impacts are connected to mineral production.<ref>Mory, H.J. et al. 2000. "Woodleigh Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia: a new 120 km diameter impact structure". ''Earth and Planetary Science Letters'': 177. 119-128</ref> The largest [[gold]] deposit on Earth is the [[Vredefort]] 300&nbsp;km diameter impact structure in [[South Africa]].<ref>Evens, K et al. 2005. The Sedimentary Record of Meteorite Impacts: An SEPM Research Conference. ''The Sedimentary Record'': 3. 4-8.</ref> Perhaps, when people live on Mars these kinds of areas will be mined as they are on earth.<ref>Head, J. and J. Mustard. 2006. "Breccia Dikes and Crater-Related Faults in Impact Craters on Mars: Erosion and Exposure on the Floor of a 75-km Diameter Crater at the Dichotomy Boundary". In Special Issue on Role of Volatiles and Atmospheres on Martian Impact Craters ''Meteoritics & Planetary Science''.</ref>
2017. Polygonal ridge networks on Mars: Diversity of morphologies and the special case of the Eastern Medusae Fossae Formation. Icarus. Volume 281. Pages 200-219</ref> Such patterns are typical of [[fault (geology)|faults]] and breccia [[Dike (geology)|dikes]] formed as a result of an impact. Some have suggested that these [[linear ridge networks]] are dikes made up of molten rock; others have advanced the idea that other fluids such as water were involved.<ref>Saper, L., J. Mustard. 2013. "Extensive linear ridge networks in Nili Fossae and Nilosyrtis, Mars: implications for fluid flow in the ancient crust". ''Geophysical Research Letters'': 40, 245-249.</ref> The ridges are found where there has been enhanced [[erosion]]. Pictures below show examples of these dikes. Water may flow along faults. The water often carries minerals that serve to cement rock materials thus making them harder. Later when the whole area undergoes erosion the dikes will remain as ridges because they are more resistant to erosion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_008189_2080|title=HiRISE &#124; Ridges in Huo Hsing Vallis (PSP_008189_2080)|website=hirise.lpl.arizona.edu}}</ref> This discovery may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because these types of faults and breccia dikes on earth are associated with key mineral resources.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-prospecting-ores-gold.html |title=Mining Mars? Where's the Ore? : Discovery News |access-date=2010-06-11 |archive-date=2012-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022144808/http://news.discovery.com/space/mars-prospecting-ores-gold.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>West, M. and J. Clarke. 2010. Potential Martian Resources: Mechanisms and Terrestrial Analogues: 58. 574-582</ref> It has been estimated that 25% of the Earth's impacts are connected to mineral production.<ref>Mory, H.J. et al. 2000. "Woodleigh Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia: a new 120 km diameter impact structure". ''Earth and Planetary Science Letters'': 177. 119-128</ref> The largest [[gold]] deposit on Earth is the [[Vredefort]] 300&nbsp;km diameter impact structure in [[South Africa]].<ref>Evens, K et al. 2005. The Sedimentary Record of Meteorite Impacts: An SEPM Research Conference. ''The Sedimentary Record'': 3. 4-8.</ref> Perhaps, when people live on Mars these kinds of areas will be mined as they are on earth.<ref>Head, J. and J. Mustard. 2006. "Breccia Dikes and Crater-Related Faults in Impact Craters on Mars: Erosion and Exposure on the Floor of a 75-km Diameter Crater at the Dichotomy Boundary". In Special Issue on Role of Volatiles and Atmospheres on Martian Impact Craters ''Meteoritics & Planetary Science''.</ref>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
Image:Huo Hsing Vallis in Syrtis Major.JPG|[[Huo Hsing Vallis]] in Syrtis Major, as seen by THEMIS. Straight ridges may be [[dike (geology)|dikes]] in which liquid rock once flowed.
Image:Huo Hsing Vallis in Syrtis Major.JPG|[[Huo Hsing Vallis]] in Syrtis Major, as seen by THEMIS. Straight ridges may be [[dike (geology)|dikes]] in which liquid rock once flowed.
Image:Huo Hsing Vallis Ridges.JPG|[[Huo Hsing Vallis]] Ridges, as seen by [[HiRISE]]. Ridges may be caused by water moving along faults.
Image:Huo Hsing Vallis Ridges.JPG|[[Huo Hsing Vallis]] Ridges, as seen by [[HiRISE]]. Ridges may be caused by water moving along faults.
ESP 043410 1980ridges.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program These may be the result of dikes or faults.
ESP 043410 1980ridges.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. These may be the result of dikes or faults.
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
48091 2090ridgenetwork.jpg|Ridge network, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48091 2090ridgenetwork.jpg|Ridge network, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48091 2090ridgeseast.jpg|Ridges near the previous image of a ridge network, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Arrows point to some ridges.
48091 2090ridgeseast.jpg|Ridges near the previous image of a ridge network, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Arrows point to some ridges.

48091 2090ridgesmiddle.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48091 2090ridgesmiddle.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:55119 2080ridges.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55119 2080ridges.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:55119 2080ridgesclosecolor.jpg|Close, color view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55119 2080ridgesclosecolor.jpg|Close, color view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
File:ESP 054842 2100ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 054842 2100ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


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</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 052838 2070ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridge networks, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 052838 2070ridges.jpg|Wide view of ridge networks, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


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</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
File:ESP 055106 2075ridges.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 055106 2075ridges.jpg|Ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


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File:ESP 055066 2050ridgescolor.jpg|Close, color view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 055066 2050ridgescolor.jpg|Close, color view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


File:ESP 085266 2080 ridges syrtis 01.jpg|Wide view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program The colored strip is about 1 km across.
File:ESP 085266 2080 ridges syrtis 02.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 085266 2080 ridges syrtis 03.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Cracks are also visible.
</gallery>
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== Streaks ==
== Streaks ==
Many areas of Mars change their shape and/or coloration. For many years, astronomers observing regular changes on Mars when the seasons changed, thought that what they saw was evidence of vegetation growing. After close-up inspection with a number of spacecraft, other causes were discovered. Basically, the changes are caused by the effects of the wind blowing dust around. Sometimes, fine bright dust settles on the dark basalt rock making the surface appear lighter, at other times the light-toned dust will be blown away; thus making the surface darken—just as if vegetation were growing. Mars has frequent regional or global dust storms that coat the surface with fine bright dust. In the [[THEMIS]] image below, white streaks are seen downwind of craters. The streaks are not too bright; they appear bright because of contrast with the dark volcanic rock [[basalt]] which makes up the surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20020606a|title=Syrtis Major &#124; Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS}}</ref>
Many areas of Mars change their shape and/or coloration. For many years, astronomers observing regular changes on Mars when the seasons changed, thought that what they saw was evidence of vegetation growing. After close-up inspection with a number of spacecraft, other causes were discovered. Basically, the changes are caused by the effects of the wind blowing dust around. Sometimes, fine bright dust settles on the dark basalt rock making the surface appear lighter, at other times the light-toned dust will be blown away; thus making the surface darken—just as if vegetation were growing. Mars has frequent regional or global dust storms that coat the surface with fine bright dust. In the [[THEMIS]] image below, white streaks are seen downwind of craters. The streaks are not too bright; they appear bright because of contrast with the dark volcanic rock [[basalt]] which makes up the surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://themis.asu.edu/zoom-20020606a|title=Syrtis Major &#124; Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS|website=themis.asu.edu}}</ref>
<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px">
Image:Bright Streaks in Syrtis Major.JPG|Bright Streaks in Syrtis Major caused by the wind, as seen by THEMIS.
Image:Bright Streaks in Syrtis Major.JPG|Bright Streaks in Syrtis Major caused by the wind, as seen by THEMIS
File:ESP 053576 1990lightstreak.jpg|Light-toned streak on the leeward side of a crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:ESP 053576 1990lightstreak.jpg|Light-toned streak on the lee ward side of a crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
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</gallery>


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Some places on Mars show [[inverted relief]]. In these locations, a stream bed may be a raised feature, instead of a valley. The inverted former stream channels may be caused by the deposition of large rocks or due to cementation. In either case erosion would erode the surrounding land and leave the old channel as a raised ridge because the ridge would be more resistant to erosion. Images below, taken with [[HiRISE]] show sinuous ridges that are old channels that have become inverted.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002279_1735 |title=HiRISE &#124; Sinuous Ridges Near Aeolis Mensae |access-date=2009-03-19 |archive-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025124/http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002279_1735 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Some places on Mars show [[inverted relief]]. In these locations, a stream bed may be a raised feature, instead of a valley. The inverted former stream channels may be caused by the deposition of large rocks or due to cementation. In either case erosion would erode the surrounding land and leave the old channel as a raised ridge because the ridge would be more resistant to erosion. Images below, taken with [[HiRISE]] show sinuous ridges that are old channels that have become inverted.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002279_1735 |title=HiRISE &#124; Sinuous Ridges Near Aeolis Mensae |access-date=2009-03-19 |archive-date=2016-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305025124/http://hiroc.lpl.arizona.edu/images/PSP/diafotizo.php?ID=PSP_002279_1735 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
Image:Antoniadi Crater Stream Channels.JPG|Inverted Stream Channels in [[Antoniadi (Martian crater)|Antoniadi Crater]], as seen by HiRISE
Image:Antoniadi Crater Stream Channels.JPG|Inverted Stream Channels in [[Antoniadi (Martian crater)|Antoniadi Crater]], as seen by HiRISE
Image:Inverted Channel 012435.jpg|Inverted Channel with many branches in Syrtis Major quadrangle
Image:Inverted Channel 012435.jpg|Inverted Channel with many branches in Syrtis Major quadrangle
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== Methane ==
== Methane ==
For several years, researchers have found [[methane]] in the atmosphere of Mars. After study, it was determined to be coming from a point in Syrtis Major, located at 10° N and 50° E.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars-methane-gas-disappears-quickly-100920.html|title = Mystery on Mars: Why Methane Fades Away So Fast|website = [[Space.com]]|date = 20 September 2010}}</ref>
For several years, researchers have found [[methane]] in the atmosphere of Mars. After study, it was determined to be coming from a point in Syrtis Major, located at 10° N and 50° E.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars-methane-gas-disappears-quickly-100920.html|title = Mystery on Mars: Why Methane Fades Away So Fast|website = [[Space.com]]|date = 20 September 2010}}</ref>
A recent study indicates that to match the observations of methane, there must be something that quickly destroys the gas, otherwise it would be spread all through the atmosphere instead of being concentrated in one location. There may be something in the soil that oxidizes the gas before it has a chance to spread. If this is so, that same chemical would destroy organic compounds, thus life would be very difficult on Mars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com:80/news/viewpr.html?pid=28914|title = Reconciling Methane Variations on Mars| date=6 August 2009 }}</ref>
A recent study indicates that to match the observations of methane, there must be something that quickly destroys the gas, otherwise it would be spread all through the atmosphere instead of being concentrated in one location. There may be something in the soil that oxidizes the gas before it has a chance to spread. If this is so, that same chemical would destroy organic compounds, thus life would be very difficult on Mars.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sci.esa.int/s/AqBLmnw |title=Reconciling Methane Variations on Mars |publisher=European Space Agency |date=6 August 2009 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>


==Layers==
==Layers==
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A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in ''Sedimentary Geology of Mars''.<ref>Grotzinger, J. and R. Milliken (eds.). 2012. ''Sedimentary Geology of Mars''. SEPM.</ref>
A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in ''Sedimentary Geology of Mars''.<ref>Grotzinger, J. and R. Milliken (eds.). 2012. ''Sedimentary Geology of Mars''. SEPM.</ref>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 047577 1960layers.jpg|Wide view of rock layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 047577 1960layers.jpg|Wide view of rock layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
46403 2095tiltedlayers.jpg|Tilted rock layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
46403 2095tiltedlayers.jpg|Tilted rock layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:ESP_027059_2055layers.jpg|Rock layers in [[Flammarion (Martian crater)]], as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:ESP_027059_2055layers.jpg|Rock layers in [[Flammarion (Martian crater)|Flammarion]], as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55106 2075layerscolorcolse.jpg|Close view of layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Part of the image is in color. HiRISE images only show a middle part in color.

File:55106 2075layerscolorcolse.jpg|Close view of layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Part of the image is in color. HiRISE images only show a middle part in color.
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 048012 2090layers.jpg|Wide view of layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 048012 2090layers.jpg|Wide view of layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


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</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
48196 1995layeredmesa.jpg|Layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48196 1995layeredmesa.jpg|Layers, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


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==Channels==
==Channels==


There is enormous evidence that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=V. |first2=Christopher W. |last2=Hamilton |first3=Devon M. |last3=Burr |display-authors=1 |year=2015 |title=Fluvial geomorphology on Earth-like planetary surfaces: a review |journal=Geomorphology |volume=245 |issue= |pages=149–182 |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.002 |pmid=29176917 |pmc=5701759 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Carr |first=M. |year=1996 |title=Water on Mars |publisher=Oxford Univ. Press |isbn=0-19-509938-9 }}</ref> Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early seventies with the [[Mariner 9]] orbiter.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=V. |year=1982 |title=The Channels of Mars |publisher=Univ. of Tex. Press |location=Austin, TX |isbn=0-292-71068-2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=V. |first2=R. |last2=Strom |first3=V. |last3=Gulick |first4=J. |last4=Kargel |first5=G. |last5=Komatsu |first6=V. |last6=Kale |display-authors=1 |year=1991 |title=Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars |journal=Nature |volume=352 |issue= 6336|pages=589–594 |doi=10.1038/352589a0 |bibcode=1991Natur.352..589B |s2cid=4321529 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Carr |first=M. |year=1979 |title=Formation of Martian flood features by release of water from confined aquifers |journal=J. Geophys. Res. |volume=84 |issue= |pages=2995–3007 |doi=10.1029/JB084iB06p02995 |bibcode=1979JGR....84.2995C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Komar |first=P. |year=1979 |title=Comparisons of the hydraulics of water flows in Martian outflow channels with flows of similar scale on Earth |journal=Icarus |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=156–181 |doi=10.1016/0019-1035(79)90123-4 |bibcode=1979Icar...37..156K }}</ref> Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. Water was probably recycled many times from the ocean to rainfall around Mars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spaceref.com/mars/how-much-water-was-needed-to-carve-valleys-on-mars.html|title = How Much Water Was Needed to Carve Valleys on Mars? - SpaceRef| date=5 June 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Luo |first1=W. |first2=Xuezhi |last2=Cang |first3=Alan D. |last3=Howard |display-authors=1 |year=2017 |title=New Martian valley network volume estimate consistent with ancient ocean and warm and wet climate |journal=Nature Communications |volume=8 |at=Article number: 15766 |doi=10.1038/ncomms15766 |pmid=28580943 |pmc=5465386 |bibcode=2017NatCo...815766L |doi-access=free }}</ref>
There is enormous evidence that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=V. |first2=Christopher W. |last2=Hamilton |first3=Devon M. |last3=Burr |display-authors=1 |year=2015 |title=Fluvial geomorphology on Earth-like planetary surfaces: a review |journal=Geomorphology |volume=245 |issue= |pages=149–182 |doi=10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.002 |pmid=29176917 |pmc=5701759 |bibcode=2015Geomo.245..149B }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Carr |first=M. |year=1996 |title=Water on Mars |publisher=Oxford Univ. Press |isbn=0-19-509938-9 }}</ref> Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early 1970s with the [[Mariner 9]] orbiter.<ref>{{cite book |last=Baker |first=V. |year=1982 |title=The Channels of Mars |publisher=Univ. of Tex. Press |location=Austin, TX |isbn=0-292-71068-2 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=V. |first2=R. |last2=Strom |first3=V. |last3=Gulick |first4=J. |last4=Kargel |first5=G. |last5=Komatsu |first6=V. |last6=Kale |display-authors=1 |year=1991 |title=Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars |journal=Nature |volume=352 |issue= 6336|pages=589–594 |doi=10.1038/352589a0 |bibcode=1991Natur.352..589B |s2cid=4321529 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Carr |first=M. |year=1979 |title=Formation of Martian flood features by release of water from confined aquifers |journal=J. Geophys. Res. |volume=84 |issue= |pages=2995–3007 |doi=10.1029/JB084iB06p02995 |bibcode=1979JGR....84.2995C }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Komar |first=P. |year=1979 |title=Comparisons of the hydraulics of water flows in Martian outflow channels with flows of similar scale on Earth |journal=Icarus |volume=37 |issue=1 |pages=156–181 |doi=10.1016/0019-1035(79)90123-4 |bibcode=1979Icar...37..156K }}</ref> Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. Water was probably recycled many times from the ocean to rainfall around Mars.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Keith |last=Cowing |url=https://spaceref.com/science-and-exploration/how-much-water-was-needed-to-carve-valleys-on-mars/ |title=How Much Water Was Needed to Carve Valleys on Mars? |publisher=SpaceRef |date=5 June 2017 |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Luo |first1=W. |first2=Xuezhi |last2=Cang |first3=Alan D. |last3=Howard |display-authors=1 |year=2017 |title=New Martian valley network volume estimate consistent with ancient ocean and warm and wet climate |journal=Nature Communications |volume=8 |at=Article number: 15766 |doi=10.1038/ncomms15766 |pmid=28580943 |pmc=5465386 |bibcode=2017NatCo...815766L |doi-access=free }}</ref>


{{Main|Valley networks (Mars)}}
{{Main|Valley networks (Mars)}}
{{Main|Outflow channels}}
{{Main|Outflow channels}}


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 048011 1830channel.jpg|Channel, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 048011 1830channel.jpg|Channel, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Wikiperidier.jpg|[[Peridier Crater]], as seen by CTX camera (on [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]]).
Wikiperidier.jpg|[[Peridier Crater]], as seen by CTX camera (on [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]])

Wikiperidierchannels.jpg|Channels along wall of Peridier Crater, as seen by CTXcamera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Note: this is an enlargement of the previous image of Peridier Crater.
Wikiperidierchannels.jpg|Channels along wall of Peridier Crater, as seen by CTXcamera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Note: this is an enlargement of the previous image of Peridier Crater.
ESP 047642 1805channel.jpg|Channel, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 047642 1805channel.jpg|Channel, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Line 187: Line 185:
ESP 049620 1810channels.jpg|Channels, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 049620 1810channels.jpg|Channels, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 049554 1800valley.jpg|Valleys, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 049554 1800valley.jpg|Valleys, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:ESP 054763 2035channelsridges.jpg|Channels and ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 054763 2035channelsridges.jpg|Channels and ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:54763 2035ridges.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:54763 2035ridges.jpg|Close view of ridges, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

</gallery>
</gallery>


==Hollows==
==Hollows==
<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
File:ESP 053524 2050hollows.jpg|Hollows that formed in crater floor deposit, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Hollows probably formed as ice left the ground.
File:ESP 053524 2050hollows.jpg|Hollows that formed in crater floor deposit, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Hollows probably formed as ice left the ground.

File:ESP 053524 2050hollowscolor.jpg|Close, color view of hollows on crater floor, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program many cracks are visible. Ground rich in ice often forms cracks. When a crack appears, there is enhanced loss of ice from the ground. Eventually, a small crack may evolve into a hollow.
File:ESP 053524 2050hollowscolor.jpg|Close, color view of hollows on crater floor, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program many cracks are visible. Ground rich in ice often forms cracks. When a crack appears, there is enhanced loss of ice from the ground. Eventually, a small crack may evolve into a hollow.

Image:Eroding mesa in Iapygia.JPG|Eroding mesa in Syrtis Major. It would be rough to walk across this feature. Image was taken with [[Mars Global Surveyor]], under the [[MOC Public Targeting Program]].
Image:Eroding mesa in Iapygia.JPG|Eroding mesa in Syrtis Major. It would be rough to walk across this feature. Image was taken with [[Mars Global Surveyor]], under the [[MOC Public Targeting Program]].
Image:20334pitandcrater.jpg|Close-up of crater deposit that shows both impact craters and pit craters caused by collapse. Image taken by HiRISE under the [[HiWish program]].
Image:20334pitandcrater.jpg|Close-up of crater deposit that shows both impact craters and pit craters caused by collapse. Image taken by HiRISE under the [[HiWish program]].
</gallery>
</gallery>


<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
ESP 048131 2055crater.jpg|Crater with eroding floor deposit, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
ESP 048131 2055crater.jpg|Crater with eroding floor deposit, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


Line 209: Line 203:
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Other features in Syrtis major quadrangle ==
== Other features ==
<gallery class="center" widths="190px" heights="180px" >
<gallery class="center" widths="380px" heights="360px">
File:Collagesyrtismajor.jpg|Typical features of Syrtis Major quadrangle as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program


Image:25291moraine.jpg|End moraine of a glacier, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:25291moraine.jpg|End moraine of a glacier, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:ESP_026557_2100.jpg|Wide view of mesa breaking up into rocks, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Parts of this image are shown enlarged in the next two images.
Image:ESP_026557_2100.jpg|Wide view of mesa breaking up into rocks, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program. Parts of this image are shown enlarged in the next two images.

Image:26557joints.jpg|Crossing joints, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:26557joints.jpg|Crossing joints, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:26557rocksforming.jpg|Rocks forming, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Image:26557rocksforming.jpg|Rocks forming, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48196 1995boxridges.jpg|Patterned ground, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
48196 1995boxridges.jpg|Patterned ground, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:55119 2080mesascolor.jpg|Color view of mesas, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55119 2080mesascolor.jpg|Color view of mesas, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:55066 2050boulderscolor.jpg|Color view of mesa breaking up into boulders, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55066 2050boulderscolor.jpg|Color view of mesa breaking up into boulders, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55066 2050polygonscolor.jpg|Polygons shapes in surface, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:55066 2050polygonscolor.jpg|Polygons shapes in surface, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 085266 2080 ridges syrtis 04.jpg|Ridges and cracks, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program Cracks often happen at right angles to each other.
File:ESP 054881 2030tilt.jpg|Tilted mesa, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 054881 2030tilt.jpg|Tilted mesa, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

File:ESP 056991 2005benchlayers.jpg|Crater with bench, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
File:ESP 056991 2005benchlayers.jpg|Crater with bench, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program

</gallery>
</gallery>


{{Gallery| align = center
{{Gallery| align = center
| title = Proposed [[Mars 2020|Mars 2020 mission]] landing site - [[Jezero (crater)|Jezero crater]]<ref name="NASA-20150304">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=PIA19303: A Possible Landing Site for the 2020 Mission: Jezero Crater |url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19303 |date=4 March 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=7 March 2015 }}</ref> ({{coord|18.855|N|77.519|E|globe:Mars}})<ref name="HR-20080606">{{cite web |last=Wray |first=James |title=Channel into Jezero Crater Delta |url=http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_007925_1990 |date=6 June 2008 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref>
| title = Proposed [[Mars 2020|Mars 2020 mission]] landing site - [[Jezero (crater)|Jezero crater]]<ref name="NASA-20150304">{{cite web |author=Staff |title=PIA19303: A Possible Landing Site for the 2020 Mission: Jezero Crater |url=http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19303 |date=4 March 2015 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=7 March 2015 }}</ref> ({{coord|18.855|N|77.519|E|globe:Mars}})<ref name="HR-20080606">{{cite web |last=Wray |first=James |title=Channel into Jezero Crater Delta |url=http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_007925_1990 |date=6 June 2008 |work=[[NASA]] |access-date=6 March 2015}}</ref>
| lines = 4
| width = 135
| width = 135
| height = 135
| height = 135

Latest revision as of 16:26, 19 November 2024

Syrtis Major quadrangle
Map of Syrtis Major quadrangle from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data. The highest elevations are red and the lowest are blue.
Coordinates15°00′N 292°30′W / 15°N 292.5°W / 15; -292.5
Image of the Syrtis Major Quadrangle (MC-13). The central part contains Syrtis Major Planum. The east includes Isidis basin and the west and north includes heavily cratered highlands.

The Syrtis Major quadrangle is one of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars used by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Research Program. The Syrtis Major quadrangle is also referred to as MC-13 (Mars Chart-13).[1]

The quadrangle covers longitudes 270° to 315° west and latitudes 0° to 30° north on Mars. Syrtis Major quadrangle includes Syrtis Major Planum and parts of Terra Sabaea and Isidis Planitia.

Syrtis Major is an old shield volcano with a central depression that is elongated in a north–south direction. It contains the calderas Meroe Patera and Nili Patera.[2] Interesting features in the area include dikes and inverted terrain.

The Beagle 2 lander was about to land near the quadrangle, particularly in the eastern part of Isidis Planitia, in December 2003, when contact with the craft was lost. In January 2015, NASA reported the Beagle 2 had been found on the surface in Isidis Planitia (location is about 11°31′35″N 90°25′46″E / 11.5265°N 90.4295°E / 11.5265; 90.4295).[3][4] High-resolution images captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter identified the lost probe, which appears to be intact.[5][6][7]

In November 2018, NASA announced that Jezero crater was chosen as the landing site for the planned Mars 2020 rover mission.[8][9] Jezero crater is in the Syrtis Major quadrangle at (at 18°51′18″N 77°31′08″E / 18.855°N 77.519°E / 18.855; 77.519)[10]

Discovery and name

[edit]

The name Syrtis Major is derived from the classical Roman name Syrtis maior for the Gulf of Sidra on the coast of Libya (classical Cyrenaica). It is near Cyrene which is the place where "Simon" who carried the cross of Jesus was from.[11][12][13]

Syrtis Major is a distinctly dark region standing out against the lighter surrounding highlands, and was the first documented surface feature of another planet. It was discovered by Christiaan Huygens, who included it in a drawing of Mars in 1659. The feature was originally known as the Hourglass Sea but has been given different names by different cartographers. In 1840, Johann Heinrich von Mädler compiled a map of Mars from his observations and called the feature Atlantic Canale. In Richard Proctor's 1867 map it is called then Kaiser Sea (after Frederik Kaiser of the Leiden Observatory). Camille Flammarion called it the Mer du Sablier (French for "Hourglass Sea") when he revised Proctor's nomenclature in 1876. The name "Syrtis Major" was chosen by Giovanni Schiaparelli when he created a map based on observations made during Mars' close approach to Earth in 1877.[14][15]

Igneous rocks

[edit]

Syrtis Major is of great interest to geologists because several types of igneous rocks have been found there with orbiting spacecraft. Besides basalt, dacite and granite have been found there. Dacite originates under volcanoes in magma chambers. Dacites form at the top of the chamber, after heavy minerals (olivine and pyroxene) containing iron and magnesium have settled to the bottom. Granite is formed by an even more complex process.[16]

Some areas of Syrtis Major contain large amounts of the mineral olivine. Olivine turns into other minerals very rapidly in the presence of water, so a high abundance of olivine suggests that for a long time little water has been there.[17]

Minerals

[edit]

A variety of important minerals have been discovered near Nili Fossae, a major trough system in Syrtis major. Besides a large exposure of olivine located in Nili Fossae. Other minerals found there include carbonates, aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, and iron oxides.[18][19] In December 2008, NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain carbonate minerals, a geologically significant discovery.[18][20][21] Later research published in October 2010, described a large deposit of carbonate rocks found inside Leighton Crater at a level that was once buried 4 miles (6 km) below the surface. Finding carbonates in an underground location strongly suggests that Mars was warmer and had more atmospheric carbon dioxide and ancient seas. Because the carbonates were near silicate minerals and clays hydrothermal systems like the deep sea vents on Earth may have been present.[22][23]

Other minerals found by the MRO are aluminum smectite, iron/magnesium smectite, hydrated silica, kaolinite group minerals, iron oxides, and talc.[19][23] NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of methane, raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.[24][25]

Research published in the fall of 2010, describes the discovery of hydrated silica on the flanks of a volcanic cone. The deposit was from a steam fumarole or hot spring, and it represents a recent habitable microenvironment. The 100-meter-high (330 ft) cone rests on the floor of Nili Patera. Observations were obtained with NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.[26]

Dikes

[edit]

Narrow ridges occur in some places on Mars. They may be formed by different means, but some are probably caused by molten rock moving underground, cooling into hard rock, then being exposed by the erosion of softer, surrounding materials. Such a feature is termed a dike. They are common on Earth—some famous ones are Shiprock, New Mexico;[27] around Spanish Peaks, Colorado;[28][29] and the "Iron Dike" in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.[30]

The discovery on Mars of dikes that were formed from molten rock is highly significant because dikes indicate the existence of intrusive igneous activity. On the Earth such activity is associated with precious metals like gold, silver, and tellurium.[31] Dikes and other intrusive structures are common in the Cripple Creek Mining District of Colorado;[31] the Battle Mountain-Eureka area in north-central Nevada, famous for gold and molybdenum deposits;[32] and around the Franklin dike swarm in Canada. Mapping the presence of dikes allows us to understand how magma (molten rock under the ground) travels and where it could have interacted with surrounding rock, thus producing valuable ores. Deposits of important minerals are also made by dikes and other igneous intrusions heating water which then dissolves minerals that are deposited in cracks in nearby rock.[33] One would expect a great deal of intrusive igneous activity to occur on Mars because it is believed there is more igneous activity under the ground than on top, and Mars has many huge volcanoes.[34]

Linear ridge networks

[edit]

Some crater floors in the Syrtis Major area show elongated ridges in a lattice-like pattern.[35] Such patterns are typical of faults and breccia dikes formed as a result of an impact. Some have suggested that these linear ridge networks are dikes made up of molten rock; others have advanced the idea that other fluids such as water were involved.[36] The ridges are found where there has been enhanced erosion. Pictures below show examples of these dikes. Water may flow along faults. The water often carries minerals that serve to cement rock materials thus making them harder. Later when the whole area undergoes erosion the dikes will remain as ridges because they are more resistant to erosion.[37] This discovery may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because these types of faults and breccia dikes on earth are associated with key mineral resources.[38][39] It has been estimated that 25% of the Earth's impacts are connected to mineral production.[40] The largest gold deposit on Earth is the Vredefort 300 km diameter impact structure in South Africa.[41] Perhaps, when people live on Mars these kinds of areas will be mined as they are on earth.[42]

Buttes

[edit]

Many places on Mars have buttes that are similar to buttes on Earth, such as the famous ones in Monument Valley, Utah. Buttes are formed when most of a layer(s) of rocks are removed from an area. Buttes usually have a hard, erosion resistant cap rock on the top. The cap rock causes the top of a butte to be flat. An example of a butte in the Syrtis Major quadrangle is shown below.

Dunes

[edit]

Sand dunes are found all over Mars. Often sand dunes will form in low areas, for example on the floor of ancient river valleys. Dunes on the floor of Arnus Vallis, an old river valley are visible in a picture below. Dunes in valleys on Mars usually lie at right angles to the valley walls.

Streaks

[edit]

Many areas of Mars change their shape and/or coloration. For many years, astronomers observing regular changes on Mars when the seasons changed, thought that what they saw was evidence of vegetation growing. After close-up inspection with a number of spacecraft, other causes were discovered. Basically, the changes are caused by the effects of the wind blowing dust around. Sometimes, fine bright dust settles on the dark basalt rock making the surface appear lighter, at other times the light-toned dust will be blown away; thus making the surface darken—just as if vegetation were growing. Mars has frequent regional or global dust storms that coat the surface with fine bright dust. In the THEMIS image below, white streaks are seen downwind of craters. The streaks are not too bright; they appear bright because of contrast with the dark volcanic rock basalt which makes up the surface.[43]

Inverted relief

[edit]

Some places on Mars show inverted relief. In these locations, a stream bed may be a raised feature, instead of a valley. The inverted former stream channels may be caused by the deposition of large rocks or due to cementation. In either case erosion would erode the surrounding land and leave the old channel as a raised ridge because the ridge would be more resistant to erosion. Images below, taken with HiRISE show sinuous ridges that are old channels that have become inverted.[44]

Methane

[edit]

For several years, researchers have found methane in the atmosphere of Mars. After study, it was determined to be coming from a point in Syrtis Major, located at 10° N and 50° E.[45] A recent study indicates that to match the observations of methane, there must be something that quickly destroys the gas, otherwise it would be spread all through the atmosphere instead of being concentrated in one location. There may be something in the soil that oxidizes the gas before it has a chance to spread. If this is so, that same chemical would destroy organic compounds, thus life would be very difficult on Mars.[46]

Layers

[edit]

Many places on Mars show rocks arranged in layers. Rock can form layers in a variety of ways. Volcanoes, wind, or water can produce layers.[47] A detailed discussion of layering with many Martian examples can be found in Sedimentary Geology of Mars.[48]

Channels

[edit]

There is enormous evidence that water once flowed in river valleys on Mars.[49][50] Images of curved channels have been seen in images from Mars spacecraft dating back to the early 1970s with the Mariner 9 orbiter.[51][52][53][54] Indeed, a study published in June 2017, calculated that the volume of water needed to carve all the channels on Mars was even larger than the proposed ocean that the planet may have had. Water was probably recycled many times from the ocean to rainfall around Mars.[55][56]

Hollows

[edit]

Other features

[edit]

Other Mars quadrangles

[edit]
The image above contains clickable linksClickable image of the 30 cartographic quadrangles of Mars, defined by the USGS.[58][59] Quadrangle numbers (beginning with MC for "Mars Chart")[60] and names link to the corresponding articles. North is at the top; 0°N 180°W / 0°N 180°W / 0; -180 is at the far left on the equator. The map images were taken by the Mars Global Surveyor.
()

Interactive Mars map

[edit]
Map of MarsAcheron FossaeAcidalia PlanitiaAlba MonsAmazonis PlanitiaAonia PlanitiaArabia TerraArcadia PlanitiaArgentea PlanumArgyre PlanitiaChryse PlanitiaClaritas FossaeCydonia MensaeDaedalia PlanumElysium MonsElysium PlanitiaGale craterHadriaca PateraHellas MontesHellas PlanitiaHesperia PlanumHolden craterIcaria PlanumIsidis PlanitiaJezero craterLomonosov craterLucus PlanumLycus SulciLyot craterLunae PlanumMalea PlanumMaraldi craterMareotis FossaeMareotis TempeMargaritifer TerraMie craterMilankovič craterNepenthes MensaeNereidum MontesNilosyrtis MensaeNoachis TerraOlympica FossaeOlympus MonsPlanum AustralePromethei TerraProtonilus MensaeSirenumSisyphi PlanumSolis PlanumSyria PlanumTantalus FossaeTempe TerraTerra CimmeriaTerra SabaeaTerra SirenumTharsis MontesTractus CatenaTyrrhena TerraUlysses PateraUranius PateraUtopia PlanitiaValles MarinerisVastitas BorealisXanthe Terra
The image above contains clickable linksInteractive image map of the global topography of Mars. Hover your mouse over the image to see the names of over 60 prominent geographic features, and click to link to them. Coloring of the base map indicates relative elevations, based on data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor. Whites and browns indicate the highest elevations (+12 to +8 km); followed by pinks and reds (+8 to +3 km); yellow is 0 km; greens and blues are lower elevations (down to −8 km). Axes are latitude and longitude; Polar regions are noted.


See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Davies, M. E.; Batson, R. M.; Wu, S. S. C. (1992). "Geodesy and Cartography". In Kieffer, H. H.; Jakosky, B. M.; Snyder, C. W.; Matthews, M. S. (eds.). Mars. Tucson: University of Arizona Press. ISBN 0-8165-1257-4.
  2. ^ Darling, David. "Syrtis Major". www.daviddarling.info.
  3. ^ Ellison, Doug (16 January 2015). "re Beagle 2 location on Mars => "Using HiView on image ESP_039308_1915_COLOR.JP2 I get 90.4295E 11.5265N"". Twitter & JPL. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  4. ^ Grecicius, Tony; Dunbar, Brian (16 January 2015). "Components of Beagle 2 Flight System on Mars". NASA. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  5. ^ Webster, Guy (16 January 2015). "'Lost' 2003 Mars Lander Found by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter". NASA. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Mars Orbiter Spots Beagle 2, European Lander Missing Since 2003". New York Times. Associated Press. 16 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
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