Scientists have captured new images of the Acheron Fossae region on Mars, revealing a characteristic horst-and-graben structure formed over 3.7 billion years ago. The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA’s Mars Express mission has acquired stunning images that show the eastern edge of this tectonic graben system.
Acheron Fossae is located around 1200 kilometers north of the massive shield volcano Olympus Mons and stretches for approximately 800 kilometers. The terrain features an inverted crescent shape, transitioning into lower-lying plains. Researchers believe this region experienced extensional forces in the Martian crust during its geologically active period.
The graben system displays a rugged surface with impact craters, while smoother plains exhibit minimal topography. Image processing reveals two distinct materials: lava flows from Alba Patera and debris-covered glaciers that converged on the valley floor. Volcanic domes also appear in the region, formed by rift-related volcanism.
These new images provide valuable insights into Mars’ crust properties, upper mantle, and volcanic activity. The Acheron Fossae graben system serves as a unique window to understand the planet’s geological history, offering clues about its tectonic processes and evolution over time.
Source: https://www.dlr.de/en/latest/news/2025/new-images-of-the-acheron-fossae-graben-system-on-mars