Cross-Cutting Relationships

Several linear grabens and collapse features observed in this THEMIS image illustrate relative timing for their formation / emplacement based on their cross-cutting relationships. A series of complex geologic processes can be relatively dated based on the idea that a more recent event will produce features that overlap and cross-cut older features. In this image some smaller impact craters in the center of the image are observed to be cut by left to right trending graben, suggesting an older impact event compared to the graben which cross-cuts it.