[meteorite-list] Mars Express Images: Heavily Eroded Aram Chaos

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Jun 5 17:53:46 2006
Message-ID: <200606051602.JAA10953_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMG4O9ATME_0.html

Heavily eroded Aram Chaos
Mars Express
European Space Agency
May 30, 2006
 
[Aram Chaos in false colour]
 
These images, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board
ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, show Aram Chaos, 280-km-wide circular
structure characterized by chaotic terrain.
 
 
[Map showing Aram Chaos in context]

The HRSC obtained these images during orbit 945 with a ground resolution
of approximately 14 metres per pixel. The images show the region of Aram
Chaos, at approximately 2? North and 340? East.

Aram Chaos is a 280-km-wide almost-circular structure located between
the outflow channel Ares Vallis and Aureum Chaos. It is one of many
regions located east of Valles Marineris and characterized by chaotic
terrain.

 
[Aram Chaos (north to the right)]

As the name 'chaos' suggests, this terrain comprises large-scale remnant
massifs, large relief masses that have been moved and weathered as a
block. These are heavily eroded and dominate the circular morphology, or
structure, which may have formed during an impact. As seen in the colour
image, these remnant massifs range from a few kilometres to
approximately ten kilometres wide and have a relative elevation of
roughly 1000 metres.
 
 
[Aram Chaos, black and white]

The western region of the colour image is characterized by brighter
material, which seems to be layered and could be the result of
sedimentary deposition. Distinct layering, causing a terrace-like
appearance, is also visible east of this brighter material and in the
relatively flat region located in the northwest of the colour image.
 
 
[Aram Chaos, perspective view]

Some scientists believe that the numerous chaotic regions located in the
eastern part of Valles Marineris were the source of water or ice thought
to have created the valleys that extend into Chryse Planitia. These
regions are particularly interesting because they may yield clues to the
relationship between Valles Marineris, the chaotic terrain, the valleys
and the Chryse basin.
 
 
[Aram Chaos, 3D anaglyph]

The colour scenes have been derived from the three HRSC-colour channels
and the nadir channel. The perspective view has been calculated from the
digital terrain model derived from the stereo channels. The anaglyph
image was calculated from the nadir and one stereo channel. Image
resolution has been decreased for use on the internet.
Received on Mon 05 Jun 2006 12:02:31 PM PDT