Elysium Fossae

Today's VIS image contains a section of one of the many channel forms found on the northwestern side of the Elysium Mons volcanic complex. The channel features are thought to have both a tectonic and volcanic origin. The linear depression resembles a graben (formed by tectonic forces) and the smaller sinuous channels to the top of the image more closely resemble features caused by fluid flow - either lava or water created by melting subsurface ice by volcanic heating.