Volcanic labyrinths on Mars | sky and space
As it continues its global mapping of the Red Planet, the European Mars Express probe encounters stunning landscapes. Such is the case of this region, photographed on the side of one of Mars’ giant volcanoes, Askraeus, where incredible gullies of lava, water and dust intertwine.
This stretch of steep valleys is located in one of the most inaccessible regions of Mars: the Tharsis Plateau. On this giant dome, which was formed 3.5 billion years ago, three giant volcanoes appeared. At the base of Ascraeus, the highest of which, the European Mars Express probe took this picture, April 5, 2022. Shows in detail (the resolution is up to 16 meters per pixel) the entire network of channels that have been excavated on the gentle slope that surrounds the volcano. The longest of these canals is 40 km. It provides a wonderful spectrum of what active volcanoes can produce.
Some of these gullies are caused by lava flows from secondary craters. But it is possible that water and volcanic ash contributed to its formation.
This area, located at a height, is currently impossible to reach by landing craft or rovers. For a long time to come, geologists will have to be content with studying it from a distance using satellites like Mars Express.
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