Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera
Collapse Pits
MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-1071, 24 April 2005
NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
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NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems |
| 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 |
Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, California. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Surveyor Operations Project operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, California and Denver, Colorado.
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