Chasma Boreale

Chasma Boreale
Chasma Boreale Channels, as seen by HiRISE.
Coordinates	83°00′N 47°06′W / 83°N 47.1°W / 83; -47.1Coordinates: 83°00′N 47°06′W / 83°N 47.1°W / 83; -47.1
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Chasma Boreale is a large canyon in the Mare Boreum quadrangle of Mars at 83° north latitude and 47.1° west longitude. It is about 560 km (350 mi) long and was named after a classical albedo feature name.^[1] The canyon shows layered features that result from seasonal melting and deposition of ice, together with dust deposits from Martian dust storms. Information about the past climate of Mars may eventually be revealed in these layers, just as tree ring patterns and ice core data do on Earth. Both polar caps also display grooved features, probably caused by wind flow patterns. The grooves are also influenced by the amount of dust.^[2] The more dust, the darker the surface. The darker the surface, the more melting. Dark surfaces absorb more light energy.

Gallery

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  Chasma Boreale Streamined Feature, as seen by HiRISE.

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  Chasma Boreale, as seen by HiRISE.

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  Combination of images of Chasma Boreale captured by the THEMIS instrument on Mars Odyssey.

References

1. ^ Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature
2. ^ http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mars/places/mars_polar_regions.html&edu=high