Arsia Mons and its North-East high plains

[Archie]

Zone coordinates:

• Long. [236.25°E, 247.50°E], i.e. 667km along the equator
  
• Lat. [0°, 11.25°S], i.e. 667km along a meridian
  
• Tabulated zone in Celestia naming rules: Level 4, TX_5_8
  

(click on the picture to enlarge the view) Arsia Mons is the most southern volcano of a line of three giant volcanos across Mars' equator. The top is at a height of 17000m and about 650km west of the famous Valles Marineris. The plain goes slowly down from the disturbed flank called Arsia Chasmata to the second volcano called Pavonis Mons. A tiny "Oti Fossae" is also visible at the bottom of Arsia Mons' eastern flank.

The plain up to Pavonis Mons, from SW to NE, is about 500km wide, at a height of 9000m. Geological aspects: According to the spacecraft Mars Odyssey, there is not any icewater at the immediate surface (or very few), nor silicon, nor iron. Maybe some chlorine, but a detailed analysis of THEMIS' results (Mars Odyssey) and OMEGA's results (european spacecraft Mars Express) may clarify weither there is more dust (and maybe regular storms), or more rock (volcanic?)...

Grrrr... this zone looks like a land of desolation, doesn't it? But don't think so! And here is at least one good reason to explore it from the ground: THEMIS got a picture of a huge and mysterious pit crater on the northern flank...

[Archie]

Our first Member in this zone is Belledefonte, our Mars' POV co-founder. Actually she specifically asked to explore this zone because of the pit crater... Belledefonte you are now located there:

(241.55°E, -5.05°N)
(visit your "profile" section > Character Sheet).

We look forward to reading your reports from this "point of view" soon.

There are still places and subjects to explore for anybody else who wants to install in this zone: we expect to take advantage of Mars Express' results (MARSIS for water up to -5km, and HRSC a 10m resolution camera) and to think about the most profitable scientific or business activities in the area...

[Belle de Fonte]

Thank you Archie ! Here is my first report, already published : Topic here
Here is a good location of the 150m wide pit crater: (241.40°E, -5.54°N) +/-300m, i.e. 0.005°
Biblio to start, and welcome to further Pioneers! : (c) JPL: picture 'F'

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