Plan view of the river valleys in Libya Montes
Plan view of the river valleys in Libya Montes
The Libya Montes highland region is one of the oldest areas on Mars and was significantly altered by volcanic processes and impact events, as well as by fluvial processes, that is, those associated with running water. In this image, a number of channels and dense valley networks can be identified, which point to surface run-off, ground water discharge and intense erosion in the Martian past. Equally striking are the smooth, level areas in some craters, into which low-viscosity lava has apparently flowed right up to the crater rim. North is on the right of the image.