Collapse Pits

Credit: NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems, Posted on: Wednesday, 4 May 2005, 06:56 CDT Download full size image

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a large and several small pits formed by collapse along the trend of a fault system in the Uranius Fossae region of Mars. Running diagonal from middle-right toward lower left is a trough that intersects the pit. The trough is a typical graben formed by faulting as the upper crust of Mars split and pulled apart at this location. The opening of the graben also led to formation of the collapse pits.

Location near: 26.2°N, 88.7°W

Image width: ~3 km (~1.9 mi)

Illumination from: lower left

Season: Northern Summer

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