THEMIS: Hephaestus Fossae’s enigmatic channels

Hephaestus Fossae (THEMIS_IOTD_20190717)THEMIS Image of the Day, July 17, 2019. This VIS image is located in the central portion of Hephaestus Fossae. Hephaestus Fossae is a complex channel system in Utopia Planitia near Elysium Mons.

It has been proposed that the channel formed by the release of melted subsurface ice during the impact event that created a large crater south of this image.

Additionally, the nearby Elysium volcanic center created subsurface heating that may have played a part in creating both Hephaestus Fossae and Hebrus Valles to the north.

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