Space & Astronomy

Photo shows enormous 'scar' stretching across the surface of Mars

By T.K. Randall
July 8, 2024 ·  0 comments

This ravine is longer than the Grand Canyon. Image Credit: ESA / DLR / FU Berlin Snaking its way like a vast wound across the surface of the Red Planet, this huge scar-like ravine - known as Aganippe Fossa - measures approximately 600km from one end to the other.

To put this into perspective, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, United States is 446km in length.Captured by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Mars Express orbiter, this new image reveals Aganippe Fossa in more detail than ever before and helps to put its immense size into sharp focus.

Scientists still aren't exactly sure how this particular surface feature originally formed, although it is likely volcanic in nature - perhaps being created by magma pushing its way up from below.

Even this behemoth, however, is tiny compared to the largest ravine on Mars - Valles Marineris - which measures a whopping 4,000km in length.

Source: IFL Science | Comments (0)

Tags: Mars