Orcus Patera is a region on the surface of the planet Mars. It is a depression about 380 km long, 140 km wide, and about 0.5 km (500 meters) deep but with a relatively smooth floor.[1] It has a rim up to 1.8 km high.[1] Orcus Patera is west of Mons Olympus and east of Elysium Mons.[1] It is about half-way between those two volcanoes, and east and north of Gale crater.
It has experienced aeolian processes, and has some small craters and graben structures.[1] However, it is not known how the patera originally formed.[1] Theories include volcanic, tectonic, or cratering events.[1]
Mars Express observed this region in 2005, yielding a digital terrain model and color pictures.[1]
See also
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References
- ^ a b c d e f g "HRSC Press Release #471 - Orcus Patera (orbit 2216 & 2238)". 2010-08-27. Archived from the original on 2014-08-07.