Friday, May 10, 2013

Sulci Gordii Closeups


Close-up of the ‘sulci’ features that define Sulci Gordii. Sulci are roughly parallel sets of ridges and valleys likely formed through tectonic and erosional processes. A prominent fault line extends along the left side of the image, while smooth lava plains overlay parts of the sulci.

Sulci Gordii is an aureole deposit resulting from the dramatic collapse of the flank of Olympus Mons in its distant past.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express on 23 January 2013 (orbit 11531), with a ground resolution of about 31 m per pixel. Sulci Gordii lies at approximately 17°N / 234°E, about 200 km east of Olympus Mons.


This image focuses on a region on the western limb of Sulci Gordii (top center-right on the corresponding main image). It shows clearly in the foreground the near-parallel characteristic of the ridges and valleys that define geological features called sulci. Close inspection of the ridges reveals dark streaks along their faces, evidence of numerous small landslides of rocky and dusty debris.

Sulci Gordii is an aureole deposit resulting from the dramatic collapse of the flank of Olympus Mons in its distant past.

The image was taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express on 23 January 2013 (orbit 11531), with a ground resolution of about 31 m per pixel. Sulci Gordii lies at approximately 17°N / 234°E, about 200 km east of Olympus Mons.

Photo credits: (Top) ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum); (Bottom) ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum).

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