The Mariner Valley is called one of the largest canyons in the Solar System, which is located on the planet Mars. A huge network of gorges and ridges is located along the Martian equator and occupies most of the planet. Canyons were found in 1971-1972 during the survey of the planet with the spacecraft "Marina-9". In honor of this device, they got their name.
Valley Characteristics
The Mariner Valley covers the vast territory of the planet Mars and is rightfully considered one of the largest relief formations in the solar system. The canyons are approximately 4000 km long and 200 km wide; in some places the depth reaches 11 km. The size of the object is so huge that if it were on the territory of our planet, it would occupy the entire territory of the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
The valley originates in the west from the labyrinth of Night, where the location of the ridges is very reminiscent of an intricate structure, and ends near the plain of Chris. Due to the vast extent of the territory, one can observe night at one end of the valley, and already day at the other. Also, the terrain is characterized by significant temperature differences, as a result of which strong and cold winds do not weaken here.
The results of a number of studies and certain features indicate that the valley was once filled with water at the level of the relief surface. The evidence is found in the valley cracks in the crust, eroded hollows, cliffs and rocks.
With a telescope from our planet, the Mariner Valley on Mars looks like a rough scar. He stretched across the surface of the red planet.
How the Mariner Valley is divided
The western part of the valley is considered the beginning of the canyon and is called the labyrinth of the Night. Here, ridges and rocks form many diverse canyons intersecting each other. In the west, the bends of the hill align in the plateau of Tharsis. In the south and southeast, the valley is also surrounded by vast plateaus - Syria, Sinai and the Sun.
Closer north of the canyons, less deep depressions diverge. In the east, the valley connects with the dilapidated Audemans crater, and then passes into the canyons of Io and Titon. According to hardware studies, it was possible to establish that the blocks of canyons and valleys consist of the oldest rocks of volcanic origin. The surface of the Martian blocks, judging by the images and readings of the sensor analyzers, is partly smooth, and partly hilly and destroyed by wind deposits.
Main canyons
Io Canyon is located on the east side of the valley. The bottom of the canyon does not form craters and does not contain traces of erosion, for the most part in the rocks there are materials caused by landslides. Titon Canyon is also located in the eastern part of the valley and has a structure and nature similar to those of Io. Both canyons are filled with breaks from the Farsid Highlands and lava flows.
Continue the Mariner Valley several more canyons: Molasses, Ophir and Kandor. These objects are interconnected and contain volcanic ash, materials of fallen rocks and lava fossils.
Further east beyond the canyons of Titon and Io stretched the canyon of Koprat, whose walls have a pronounced layered structure. Significant damage caused by numerous landslides and constant winds is noticeable in its gorges. Also, following the traces of a number of materials, it is assumed that once there were lakes.
Continue Koprat canyons Eos and Ganges. Partially, characteristic grooves and stripes are observed in Eos, which, most likely, appeared under the influence of fluid flows. The bottom of the Ganges Canyon is lined with volcanic and weathered materials.
Martian chaos
The gorges of Eos and the Ganges are followed by the famous Martian chaos. This is the name of places with unexpressed or disturbed terrain, which is filled with randomly scattered ridges, plateaus, cracks and other planetary structures. An erratic combination of different types of relief does not allow us to pinpoint the cause of its origin, however, the scale of chaos indicates the incredible power and duration of the impact on this region of the planet.
Areas of chaos are gradually leveled and transferred to the plain of Chris, which is considered the lowest part on Mars. Judging by the relief of the plain and the structure of the rock, there were also numerous water sources.
Fogs and clouds over canyons
In the mornings, fog often rises above the western part of Marimer, which contains particles of water ice. The reason for morning mists is the warm air temperature, which lasts longer than in the rest of the territory.
When Mars is located at the point closest to the Sun (perihelion), clouds form above the canyons. Martian clouds are very long - up to 1000 km in length and width. They also consist of water ice, and their origin is associated with the features of the relief of the planet.
