Bizarre elongated crater is a Martian mystery

is that possible, wouldnt gravity have pulled it into the planet Yes, it would. Currently the most scientifically accepted theory is that it was once a normal crater that has been elongated by the previously very active volcanic area. (It's inbetween Olympus Mons and Elyseum Mons). My little pet theory though is that it's a meteorite/comet that broke up shortly before impact and impacted so close together that it's become indistinguishable.

My little pet theory though is that it's a meteorite/comet that broke up shortly before impact and impacted so close together that it's become indistinguishable. Sorta like what happened with shoemaker levy 9

Yes, it would. Currently the most scientifically accepted theory is that it was once a normal crater that has been elongated by the previously very active volcanic area. (It's inbetween Olympus Mons and Elyseum Mons). My little pet theory though is that it's a meteorite/comet that broke up shortly before impact and impacted so close together that it's become indistinguishable. Not really. If the asteroid was traveling fast enough it may have impacted and skipped off like a stone on water. Just a much more fantastic display that solids can act like liquids.

Has there been any talk of it being a massive caldera since it is surrounded by Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons?

Has there been any talk of it being a massive caldera since it is surrounded by Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons? Doubtful as a caldera even from mt Olympus on Mars would not have the power to make such a scar. It's an asteroid that deflected off the surface given it's trajectory. Impacts don't often happen straight on.

There are even greater scars across planets. Thunderbolts of the Gods.

Has there been any talk of it being a massive caldera since it is surrounded by Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons? It sits between two volcanoes and while the name "patera" is traditionally given to irregularly shaped volcanic craters, scientists know at least enough about the Orcus Patera to know it wasn't formed by a volcano.The most likely explanation is that it's an impact crater, although given the length of the scar, it would have to have been formed by something striking the surface of Mars at an angle of less than five degrees, possibly bouncing back off the surface. The floor of the crate... [More]

There are even greater scars across planets. Thunderbolts of the Gods. I suddenly have mental pictures of Zeus being trigger happy with lightning.

Thats where I crash landed my flag ship in my "Mars, god of war" incarnation.

Not really. If the asteroid was traveling fast enough it may have impacted and skipped off like a stone on water. Just a much more fantastic display that solids can act like liquids. That's when it enters the athmosphere, there it can skip off the athmosphere if the angle is just right (even though the atmoshpere of Mars isn't noteworthy, so this might not happen there). But whenever it hits the ground it's slowed down to such a velocity that such a scenario is nigh impossible. Especially judging by the massiveness of this crater that scenario would definately be impossible, this is way past s... [More]