Most people know by now that Mars once contained a massive amount of water on its surface. It was during this period that Kasei Valles (shown below) was created by flood waters on Mars.
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| Kasei Valles Image Credit: European Space Agency's Mars Express |
One of the largest outflow channels on Mars, Kasei Valles measures 3000 km in length with a depth of 3 km, spanning a total of 1.55 million square kilometers.
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| Kasei Valles Source: HiRISE |
Within Kasei Valles lies the remains of Sharanov Crater, which had its southern rim collapsed by the floods that created the valley. This 100 km wide crater is depicted at top center in the below perspective view of Kasei Valles.
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| Sharanov Crater in Kasei Valles perspective view Image Credit: European Space Agency's Mars Express |
The floods that created Kasei Valles are thought to have emanated from Echus Chasma, which is imaged below. Echus Chasma spans 100km long and 10km wide and cuts into Lunae Planum, which is north of Valles Marineris.
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| Echus Chasma Image Credit: European Space Agency's Mars Express |
Echus Chasma was likely created when an impact or tectonic shift released water from a pressurized acquifer. Much like a dam breaking with enormous pressure, the force of the water ruptured the ground, leaving the incision we call Echus Chasma.
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| Echus Chasma Image Credit: European Space Agency's Mars Express |
The resulting release of water flooded the area directly north of Echus Chasma, thus creating Kasei Valles.
