The 'Martian dichotomy' – the transition between the Martian highlands and lowlands
The 'Martian dichotomy' – the transition between the Martian highlands and lowlands
A prominent escarpment marks the border between Mars’ northern lowlands and southern highlands. Dark sands cover large areas of the lowlands. The erosion of this transition zone is advancing from north to south, resulting in isolated inselbergs or buttes in the northern lowland plains, as well as debris fans and areas of landscape that have already been largely eroded. This transition zone from the older highlands to the younger lowlands, referred to as the ‘Martian dichotomy’, ranges in height from 2000 to 4000 metres.