Ancient groundwater carved a 1300-km Martian channel in Shalbatana Vallis
TL;DR
ESA’s Mars Express highlights Shalbatana Vallis, a 1300-km, water-worn channel near Mars’ equator formed about 3.5 billion years ago by groundwater floods. The image reveals winding valleys, chaotic terrain, and hints of past lava flows and volcanic ash, with nearby Chryse Planitia—a region some scientists speculate may have hosted an ancient Martian ocean. The mission’s HRSC data continue to map Mars in 3D and color, deepening our understanding of its watery past.
- Waterworn chaos on Mars European Space Agency
- Strange, dark material spotted in an ancient channel on Mars, where water once flowed 3.5 billion years ago BBC Sky at Night Magazine
- Bird’s-eye view of a small chaotic area in Shalbatana Vallis European Space Agency
- A view from above: Shalbatana Vallis on Mars European Space Agency
- ESA - Topographic map of Shalbatana Vallis on Mars European Space Agency
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