Planets, such as Mars, have very similar landscapes to the ones on Earth.
One of the most interesting features of learning about astronomy is the discovery and study of landforms on planets---especially since they often match many of the landforms found on our own planet. Landforms are defined as the quality and nature of the physical manifestations of surfaces and their distinct location on certain landscapes. In simpler terms, it can be said that they are surfaces on planets that have a noticeable characteristic that separates them from the landscape as a whole. Landforms developed over the course of millions of years, and scientists are studying them in order to understand the nature and the environment of the planets they are located within.
Valles Marineris
The Valles Marineris, also called the "Grand Canyon of Mars," is located along the equator of Mars. It is on the east side of Tharsis Bulge, featuring a series of long canyons that stretches up to 2,500 miles long. It is a large tectonic crack that grew as the planet cooled after its formation, stretching for nearly a quarter of the planet's circumference.
Olympus Mons
The Olympus Mons is another landform on Mars. It has a distinctive feature in that it contains basaltic shield volcanoes. Sloping flanks imply the formation of basalt and other types of fluid lava. Olympus Mons has a very low profile with an average slope of five degrees, with contours that have been compared to a circus tent held up by a single pole shifted slightly away from center.
Tycho
Tycho, like most of the fresh craters over a few tens of miles wide, is an obvious mark that can be seen during a full moon. It remains one of the moon's most easily viewable landmarks. Tycho's age is about 108 million years, which is relatively young in astronomical years, especially when compared to other planetary landforms within the solar system.
Lunar Maria
Ancient astronomers thought the Lunar Maria to be a series of oceans that lay on the moon. These landforms are dark spots on the face of the moon, consisting of several large and small formations. These landforms were created because of a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred on the moon's surface millions of years ago. A darker type of rock creates this illusion, making it appear like water from afar. The majority of Lunar Maria is composed of thick, basaltic lava rock.
Tags: Lunar Maria, Olympus Mons, millions years, that have, These landforms, Valles Marineris
