Medusae Fossae Formation [SEP] located on astronomical body
Medusae Fossae Formation
The Medusae Fossae Formation is a large geological unit of probable volcanic origin on the planet Mars. It is named for the Medusa of Greek mythology. "Fossae" is Latin for "trenches". Located roughly at , it straddles the highland - lowland boundary near the Tharsis and Elysium volcanic areas. The Medusae Fossae Formation lies partly in five quadrangles: the Amazonis quadrangle, the Tharsis quadrangle, the Memnonia quadrangle, the Elysium quadrangle, and the Aeolis quadrangle.
The Medusae Fossae Formation is a soft
inflated lavas, which are interpreted as insulated sheet flows. Eastern Cerberus Plains lavas originate at Cerberus Fossae fissures and shields. Some flows extend for 2000 km through Marte Valles into Amazonis Planitia. Athabasca Valles are both incised into pristine lavas and embayed by pristine lavas, indicating that Athabascan fluvial events were contemporaneous with volcanic eruptions. Deposits of the Medusae Fossae Formation lie both over and under lavas, suggesting the deposition of the Medusae Fossae Formation was contemporaneous with volcanism. Statistics of small craters indicate lavas in the Western Cerberus Plains may