Public domain
Protonilus Mensae
From the collection of NASA Image and Video Library. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
The mesas and valleys in this VIS image are part of Protonilus Mensae. Located between the relative highlands of northern Terra Sabaea and the lowlands of Vastitas Borealis, Protonilus Mensae is region of chaos terrain. Chaos terrain is typified by regions of blocky, often steep sided, mesas interspersed with deep valleys. With time and erosion the valleys widen and the mesas become smaller. It has been proposed that a catastrophic outflow of subsurface water creates the chaos.
NASA Image and Video Library’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineProtonilus Mensae. NASA/JPL, 2023-05-11. Public domain. ID: PIA25929.
