Mars


Mars

Topography of Mars & Surface Evolution

Elevations measured by the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter have yielded a high- accuracy global map of the topography of Mars. Dominant features include the low northern hemisphere, the Tharsis province, and the Hellas impact basin. The northern hemisphere depression is primarily a long-wavelength effect that has been shaped by an internal mechanism. The topography of Tharsis consists of two broad rises. Material excavated from Hellas contributes to the high ele- vation of the southern hemisphere and to the scarp along the hemispheric boundary. The present topography has three major drainage centers, with the northern lowlands being the largest. The two polar cap volumes yield an upper limit of the present surface water inventory of 3.2 to 4.7 million cubic kilometers.

David E. Smith, Maria T. Zuber, Sean C. Solomon, Roger J. Phillips, James W. Head, James B. Garvin, W. Bruce Banerdt, Duane O. Muhleman, Gordon H. Pettengill, Gregory A. Neumann, Frank G. Lemoine, James B. Abshire, Oded Aharonson, C. David Brown, Steven A. Hauck, Anton B. Ivanov, Patrick J. McGovern, H. Jay Zwally, Thomas C. Duxbury

Download PDF



Activity Code


QR code
/mars/topography-of-mars

HINT: If you are viewing this page from one our Real World Globe activities please make sure the QR code you scanned matches the QR code on this page.

Download free QR Reader/Scanner


Additional information about mars




Products for Mars Activities

Check out the following globes by Real World Globes.