Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS: Feature Image: Pit-chain in Noctis Labyrinthus (Released 1 November 2002)

Vital Statistics
Location: -14.5N, 263.0E	Released: 2002-11-01
Image Size: 17.4 x 62.0 km, 1024 x 3648 px
Resolution: 17m	Instrument: VIS

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

Image Context:
Context image for 20021101a

Wide Context:
Wide context image for 20021101a

Context image credit: NASA/JPL/MOLA
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Detailed information on this image is available at the THEMIS Data Releases website.

Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images.

These pit chain features in south Noctis Labryinthus are oriented parallel to grabens in the area, suggesting that tensional stresses may have been responsible for their formation. One way in which pit chains can form is when something in the subsurface is removed or has a volume change, such as cooling lava in a subsurface lava tube. Extension of the crust by faulting is a second way in which this interesting features can form.