Nilus Chaos

This VIS image shows a portion of Nilus Chaos. Located north of Kasei Vallis, this chaos formed at the elevation boundary between Kasei Valles (lower elevation) and the surrounding plains (higher elevation). Chaos terrain is typified by regions of blocky, often steep sided, mesas interspersed with deep valleys. With time and erosion the valleys widen and the mesas become smaller. In this region of chaos, the mesas decrease in size the closer it approaches to the lower elevation surface.