Valles Marineris

Category: Science & Technology → Space → Planetary Geography

Key Points

  • Valles Marineris is a gigantic canyon system on Mars.

  • It is the largest canyon system in the Solar System.

  • It extends for approximately 4,000 km.

  • It lies roughly south of Mars' equator.

  • Some parts reach approximately 600 km in width and around 9 km in depth.

  • It is associated with tectonic processes involving the Tharsis region.

  • It was discovered through observations from Mariner 9, which also inspired its name.

  • Recent research has examined evidence of enormous ancient outburst floods associated with paleolakes in the Valles Marineris system.

Prelims trap:
Valles Marineris = Mars, not Venus.