Central Peak in Elysium Planitia

Scaled Image

Image Credit: NASA/JPL/ASU

About this image

This impact crater is located in Elysium Planitia and contains a well-preserved central peak in the center of the crater, in contrast with the slumped crater walls. Impact craters are divided into two groups based on morphology: simple craters and complex craters. Based on the morphologic characteristics of this crater, a central peak as well as a shallow crater depth verses crater diameter, this impact crater is defined as a complex crater. The central peak is formed as the initial deep crater floor rebounds from the compressional shock of the impact. A good diagram showing the structural difference between simple and complex craters is http://www.lpi.usra.edu/expmoon/science/craterstructure.html.

Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images. 

Context

Image ID: 
V10593011 (View data in Mars Image Explorer)
5.9054
129.842
10593
2004-05-04 08:18
Tue, 2005-03-08
VIS
1024 pixels (18 km)
3648 pixels (65 km)
0.017882 km/pixel
0.018012 km/pixel

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