The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a series of stunning images capturing a massive scar on the surface of Mars. These images, taken by the Mars Express orbiter’s high-resolution stereo camera, reveal a 600-kilometer-long (373-mile-long) scar, longer than the Grand Canyon. This feature, known as Aganippe Fossa, is a graben, which forms when tectonic forces stretch and crack a planet’s crust, according to ESA.
The images also show varied surface features of Mars in great detail. They reveal both clustered, uneven hills (hummocky terrain) and smooth, gently sloping cliffs covered in debris (lobate terrain).
“This incredible image from our Mars Express shows a giant crack, Aganippe Fossa, slicing across the flank of Arsia Mons, one of Mars’ mightiest volcanoes (dwarfing even Earth’s tallest!). Scientists believe this 600km-long gash formed as magma stretched and tore the Martian crust. But the mysteries don’t stop there! The strange, zebra-striped terrain nearby hints at windblown dust and ancient glaciers,” ESA wrote on Instagram while sharing the pictures.
Mars Express is Europe’s first mission to the Red Planet, orbiting Mars since 2003. The orbiter has been imaging Mars’ surface, mapping its minerals, identifying the composition and circulation of its atmosphere, probing beneath its crust, and exploring how various phenomena interact in the Martian environment. The mission has been extended until at least the end of 2026.
“Mars Express has been unraveling the Red Planet’s secrets for over 20 years, and this image is a stunning reminder of its incredible discoveries,” ESA added.
Reacting to the incredible images, one user commented, “Damn Mars, things have been rough.” Another wrote, “What a shot, quite amazing and puzzling the crust of Mars.” A third said, “Beautiful scars! The amount of history and knowledge they hold is just magical.” A fourth added, “Thanks for sharing; incredible images!”
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