Mars satellite captures image of giant ‘claw marks’
Mars satellite captures image of giant ‘claw marks’
The fault system — dubbed the “Tantalus Fossae” — is a system of lengthy troughs lying along the eastern flank of a vast, low-lying volcano known as Alba Mons
The fault system — dubbed the “Tantalus Fossae” — is a system of lengthy troughs lying along the eastern flank of a vast, low-lying volcano known as Alba Mons
The fossae formed around 3.6–3.2 billion years ago as the summit of the volcano rose in elevation, causing the surrounding surface of the Red Planet to crack open.
The fossae formed around 3.6–3.2 billion years ago as the summit of the volcano rose in elevation, causing the surrounding surface of the Red Planet to crack open.
As pairs of parallel faults opened up, the rock between them would drop down, forming a trough that geologists refer to as a “graben”.
As pairs of parallel faults opened up, the rock between them would drop down, forming a trough that geologists refer to as a “graben”.
As the Tantalus Fossae formed on the eastern side of Alba Mons, similar graben structures also developed on the other side of the volcano.
As the Tantalus Fossae formed on the eastern side of Alba Mons, similar graben structures also developed on the other side of the volcano.
Together, the two fossae form an incomplete ring around the volcano, stretching over more than 620 miles.
Together, the two fossae form an incomplete ring around the volcano, stretching over more than 620 miles.
The grabens, meanwhile, stretch up to 6.2 miles in width and can be some 1,150 feet deep.
The grabens, meanwhile, stretch up to 6.2 miles in width and can be some 1,150 feet deep.