ESA Mars Express: Lava Flows within Daedalia Planum on Mars

ESA's ESA’s Mars Express reveals two distinct volcanic eruptions have flooded this area of Daedalia Planum on Mars, flowing around an island of ancient terrain. 

The smooth, fractured terrain to the south (left) predates the rough-textured lava flow that dominates the northern (right) side of the image. 

The lava flows arose from the giant Arsia Mons volcano, part of the Tharsis complex around 1000 km to the northwest. 

The blue–grey colour at the bottom left of the image likely reflects a difference in the composition of exposed material: for example, wind-blown ash or dust deposits can easily accumulate in faults or channels. 

The image was created using data acquired on 28 November 2013 during Mars Express orbit 12 593 using the High Resolution Stereo Camera. 

The image resolution is about 14 m per pixel. The image centre is at about 25ºS/249ºE. North is right and east down.

This region of Daedalia Planum includes Mistretta Crater and sits close to the Claritas Fossae region of Mars. 

The giant Tharsis Montes volcanoes lie more than 1000 km to the northwest.

Colour-coded topography map of Daedalia Planum, featuring a segment of highland terrain that is home to Mistretta Crater, the largest of the three eroded impact craters. 

White and red show the highest terrains, while blue and purple show the deepest. 

The image is based on a digital terrain model of the region, from which the topography of the landscape can be derived. 

The region clearly slopes to the south (left). This region was imaged by the high-resolution stereo camera on ESA’s Mars Express on 28 November 2013 (orbit 12 593), with a ground resolution of 14 m per pixel. 

The image centre is at about 25ºS/249ºE. North is right and east down.


Credit: ESA /DLR

Read the full article about Daedalia Planum on ESA Mars express portal. You can also view more ESA Mars express images from Mars here.