Perspective view 1 of Ascraeus Mons

This oblique perspective view shows the southern flanks of Ascraeus Mons, the second-tallest volcano on Mars. 

Deep, irregular fissures in the martian surface can be seen snaking towards the camera. These are part of a group of features collectively named Ascraeus Chasmata, which encompasses an enormous patch of collapsed terrain over 70 km across. The part shown here formed as strings of circular or near-circular depressions combined and coalesced to form troughs, causing the ground to collapse – a bit like forming a sinkhole.

This image was generated from the digital terrain model and the nadir and colour channels of the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESA’s Mars Express.

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