Geologic Mapping of the Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars

Severely eroded surface of the Medusae Fossae Formation materials on Mars. No internal layering is evident, even on prominent scarps (arrows). Dark streaks are interpreted to be places where small landslides have removed a dust layer that blankets this part of Mars. (Portion of Mars Orbiter Camera image M11-04251, 2.7°N, 158.6°W, 4.4 m/pixel, courtesy Malin Space Science Systems/Jet Propulsion Laboratory/NASA).

CEPS Staff: Dr. Jim Zimbelman

The Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) has a wide variety of proposed origins in the scientific literature. Geologic relationships and new data from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft are being used to test the hypothesized origin mechanisms for MFF.

December 2001 AGU Poster -- Medusae Fossae Formation, Mars: A Mars Global Surveyor Perspective (3.14 MB PDF)
Additional Medusae Fossae Research

Dr. Zimbelman's Homepage

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