Scalloped Topography in Peneus Patera Crater
NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona
Scalloped Topography in Peneus Patera Crater
PSP_002296_1215  Science Theme: Glacial/Periglacial Processes
This image, near the southeast rim of Peneus Patera crater, is marked by depressions in the mantle with scalloped edges. Several of the depressions have apparently coalesced together.

These features are most commonly found at approximately 55 degrees North and South latitude. Their presence has led to hypotheses of the removal of subsurface material, possibly interstitial ice by sublimation (evaporation).

Steep scarps consistently face the south pole while more gentle slopes face in the direction of the equator. This is most likely due to differences in solar heating.

A polygonal pattern of fractures, commonly associated with "scalloped terrain," can be found on the surface surrounding and within the depressions. The fractures indicate that the surface has undergone stress that may have been caused by subsidence, desiccation, or thermal contraction.

Scallop formation is believed to be an ongoing process at the present time.



Written by: Maria Banks  (28 February 2007)
 
Acquisition date
22 January 2007

Local Mars time
16:01

Latitude (centered)
-58.058°

Longitude (East)
53.698°

Spacecraft altitude
249.7 km (155.2 miles)

Original image scale range
50.1 cm/pixel (with 2 x 2 binning) so objects ~150 cm across are resolved

Map projected scale
50 cm/pixel and North is up

Map projection
Equirectangular

Emission angle
5.7°

Phase angle
73.8°

Solar incidence angle
78°, with the Sun about 12° above the horizon

Solar longitude
170.9°, Northern Summer

For non-map projected images
North azimuth:  98°
Sub-solar azimuth:  35.6°
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POSTSCRIPT
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., manages the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The HiRISE camera was built by Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation and is operated by the University of Arizona.