Simois Colles

Simois Colles
Simois Colles, as seen by THEMIS.
Location Phaethontis quadrangle
Coordinates 37°43′S 177°35′W / 37.72°S 177.59°W / -37.72; -177.59Coordinates: 37°43′S 177°35′W / 37.72°S 177.59°W / -37.72; -177.59

Simois Colles is a region of colles (hills) in the northwest of Phaethontis quadrangle of Mars, also it is in the westernmost area of Terra Sirenum. It is located around 37.72 ° south latitude, and 177.59° west longitude. The Atlantis basin is just to the north. The region is 86.94 kilometers (54.02 mi) across, and was named after an albedo feature, currently the only feature named after Simois. It was officially named on December 3, 2013.[1]

Map of Eridania Lake, it included the area which later became Simois Colles

Description

Nearby features include the chaotic terrains of Caralis Chaos to the west opposite of the Prime Meridian, Atlantis Chaos to the north and Gorgonum Chaos further east on the other side of a narrow low terrain and high terrain. In the south is crossed by Sirenum Fossae, a small scarp in the southcentral portions and a slightly larger scarp in the southern edge. Also there are slightly higher terrain areas to the southwest and a small portion northeast, just south of Atlantis Chaos. West of the hills (colles) is the Prime Meridian along with the Eridania quadrangle.

The feature dominates the most of a separate basin area.

Alongside nearby the chaotic terrains of Atlantis Chaos and Caralis Chaos and Ariadnes Collies, it also contains an ancient dry lakebed (possibly part of Eridania Lake),[2] as well as structures that appear to be volcanic dikes and recently formed gullies, which suggests the possibility of long-term hydrothermal activity.[3] As Eridania Lake dried out in the late Noachian epoch, it divided into a series of smaller lakes, but the area would have smaller lakes and was later dried out betore other areas to the north and west.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Simois Colles". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
  2. ↑ Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier. NY
  3. ↑ de Pablo, M. A.; Fairén, A. G.; Márquez, A. (3 March 2004). "The Geology of Atlantis Basin, Mars, and Its Astrobiological Interest" (PDF). 35th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 15–19, 2004, League City, Texas. abstract no.1223.


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