A recent snapshot from the European Space Agency’s Mars Express mission has provided new insights into the Red Planet’s dynamic landscape. The image shows the Acheron Fossae region, a vast area between two giant volcanoes, Olympus Mons and Alba Mons. This region is characterized by grabens, rock glaciers, and other geological features that reveal Mars’ complex history.
The area stretches for nearly 800 kilometers and offers a glimpse into the planet’s past when it was geologically active four billion years ago. The grabens seen in the image are evidence of tectonic forces that shaped the region during this time. These features continue to stretch across Mars, forming a vast system with ridges that move slowly over time.
The lower part of the image shows smooth plains that indicate lava flows from nearby volcanic activity. This suggests a more active surface driven by tectonic movements and volcanic eruptions in the past. The movement of Martian rock also reveals evidence of rock glaciers, which are slabs of rock pushed across the landscape by ice. These glaciers leave behind softly meandering lines, forming debris aprons that provide clues about Mars’ changing climate and surface processes.
By studying these geological features, scientists can reconstruct the planet’s past, gaining insights into water and ice activity during ancient times. The Acheron Fossae region provides a unique window into Mars’ history, offering valuable information for future research and exploration of the Red Planet.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/04/esas-mars-express-surprising-moving-rock