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Extensional tectonics in Tempe Terra

8 May 2006

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‘Grabens’ in Tempe Terra, a geologically complex region that is part of the old Martian highlands. Grabens are depressed blocks of land bordered by parallel faults, and have tectonic origin. The valleys and grabens are 5 to 10 kilometres wide and up to 1500 meters deep. Along the graben flanks, the layering of the bedrock is exposed. Tectonic processes have led to the development of these grabens. After the tectonic activity, other processes reshaped the landscape. In the scene, the results of weathering and mass transport can be seen. Due to these processes, the surface has been smoothed, giving formerly sharp edges a rounded appearance.

The Tempe Terra region of Mars displays a complex geologic history; the image was taken just west of the Barabashov crater and covers the transition zone between the old Martian highlands to the south and the geologically younger northern lowlands.

The HRSC camera on board ESA’s Mars Express obtained these images during orbit 1180 on 19 December 2004 with a ground resolution of approximately 16.5 metres per pixel. The data were acquired in the region of Northern Olympus Mons, at approximately 48.5° North and 288.4° East.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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This map shows Tempe Terra in context. The Mars Express image of this area was acquired in the region of Northern Olympus Mons, at approximately 48.5° North and 288.4° East. The image was taken just west of the Barabashov crater and covers the transition zone between the old Martian highlands to the south and the geologically younger northern lowlands. The context map is centred on the region of Mareotis Fossae showing numerous parallel grabens, or depressed blocks of land bordered by parallel faults, running in a Northeast-Southwest orientation. These appear in more detail in the images in the south (left).

Credits: FU Berlin/MOLA

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Black and white nadir view of grabens in Tempe Terra

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The Tempe Terra region of Mars displays a complex geologic history. This black and white image was taken just west of the Barabashov crater and covers the transition zone between the old Martian highlands to the south and the geologically younger northern lowlands.

The scene, caught by the HRSC camera on board ESA’s Mars Express, shows valleys and grabens 5 to 10 kilometres wide and up to 1500 meters deep. The lineations on the valley floors are attributed to a slow viscous movement of material, presumably in connection with ice. These lineations and indications of possible ice underneath the surface lead scientists to assume that the structures are rock glaciers or similar phenomena known from alpine regions on Earth.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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3D anaglyph view of grabens in Tempe Terra

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This 3D anaglyph view, derived from data recorded by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, shows tectonic grabens - depressed blocks of land bordered by parallel faults - in Tempe Terra, a geologically complex region that is part of the old Martian highlands.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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