Topographical image map of the southern region of Phlegra Montes
Topographical image map of the southern region of Phlegra Montes
Digital terrain models can be derived from the HRSC imaging system’s stereo image data, which allocate an altitude value to each pixel on the surface of Mars. The reference level for the altitude values is an ‘areoid' (named after Ares, the Greek name for Mars), a notional plane of equal gravitational attraction that corresponds to sea level on Earth. The distribution of altitude values can be seen using the colour scale in the upper right of the image.
The highest uprisings of the southern Phlegra Montes extend some 2500 metres upwards from the volcanic plain of Elysium and are interrupted by plateau-like uplands. In the centre of the image, several small valleys running from west to east and ending in a basin-shaped structure can be seen on the flanks of a group of small hills.