List of Terrae on Mars
Encyclopedia
The following is a list of regions on Mars
given the name Terra (pl. Terrae). Most cover large, rugged areas, often including outflow channels
, cratering, and "chaos terrain
". They may be contrasted with the Planitia (e.g., Amazonis Planitia
) and Mare (e.g., Mare Erythraeum
), smoother regions of differing albedo
.
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
given the name Terra (pl. Terrae). Most cover large, rugged areas, often including outflow channels
Outflow channels
Outflow channels is the term used to describe extremely long, wide swathes of scoured ground on Mars, commonly containing the streamlined remnants of pre-existing topography and other linear erosive features indicating sculpting by fluids moving downslope...
, cratering, and "chaos terrain
Chaos terrain
Chaos terrain is an astrogeological term used to denote planetary surface areas where features such as ridges, cracks, and plains appear jumbled and enmeshed with one another. Chaos terrain is a notable feature of the planet Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa...
". They may be contrasted with the Planitia (e.g., Amazonis Planitia
Amazonis Planitia
Amazonis Planitia is one of the smoothest plains on Mars. It is located between the Tharsis and Elysium volcanic provinces to the west of Olympus Mons in the Valles Marineris region of the Memnonia quadrangle, centered at...
) and Mare (e.g., Mare Erythraeum
Mare Erythraeum
Mare Erythraeum is a very large dark dusky region of Mars that can be viewed by even a small telescope. The name comes from the Latin for the Erythraean Sea, because it was originally thought to be a large sea of liquid water. It was included in Percival Lowell's 1895 map of Mars.-External links:*...
), smoother regions of differing albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
.
| Name | Coordinates | Feature diameter (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Aonia Terra | 62.0°S 100.0°E | 4,000 |
| Arabia Terra Arabia Terra Arabia Terra is a large upland region in the north of Mars in that lies mostly in the Arabia quadrangle. It is densely cratered and heavily eroded. This battered topography indicates great age, and Arabia Terra is presumed to be one of the oldest terrains on the planet... |
23.0°N 355.0°E | 5,100 |
| Terra Cimmeria Terra Cimmeria Terra Cimmeria is a large Martian region, centered at and covering 5400 km at its broadest extent. It covers latitudes 15 N to 75 S and longitudes 170 to 260 W. Terra Cimmeria is one part of the heavily cratered, southern highland region of the planet... |
35.0°S 215.0°E | 5,400 |
| Margaritifer Terra Margaritifer Terra Margaritifer Terra is an ancient, heavily cratered region of Mars. It is centered just south of the Martian equator at and covers 2600 km at its widest extent. The area reveals "chaos terrain", outflow channels, and alluvial plains that are indicative of massive flooding. Wind erosion patterns are... |
5.0°S 25.0°E | 2,600 |
| Noachis Terra Noachis Terra Noachis Terra is an extensive southern landmass of the planet Mars. It lies west of the giant Hellas impact basin, roughly between the latitudes −20° and −80° and longitudes 30° west and 30° east, centered on .... |
45.0°S 350.0°E | 4,800 |
| Promethei Terra Promethei Terra Promethei Terra is a large Martian region, centered at and covering 3300 km at its broadest extent. It lies to the east of the massive Hellas basin. Like much of the southern part of the planet it is a heavily cratered, highland region. Promethei Terra was named for a classic albedo feature... |
58.0°S 260.0°E | 3,300 |
| Terra Sabaea Terra Sabaea Terra Sabaea is a large area on Mars. Its coordinates are and it covers at its broadest extent. It was named in 1979 after a classic albedo feature on the planet.... |
2.0°N 318.0°E | 4,700 |
| Terra Sirenum Terra Sirenum Terra Sirenum is a large region in the southern hemisphere of the planet Mars. It is centered at and covers 3900 km at its broadest extent. It covers latitudes 10 to 70 South and longitudes 110 to 180 W. Terra Sirenum is an upland area notable for massive cratering including the large Newton... |
40.0°S 150.0°E | 3,900 |
| Tempe Terra Tempe Terra Tempe Terra is a heavily cratered highland region in the northern hemisphere of the planet Mars. Located at the northeastern edge of the Tharsis volcanic province, Tempe Terra is notable for its high degree of crustal fracturing and deformation... |
40.0°N 71.0°E | 2,753 |
| Tyrrhena Terra Tyrrhena Terra Tyrrhena Terra is a large area on Mars, centered south of the Martian equator and immediately northeast of the Hellas basin. Its coordinates are , and it covers 2300 km at its broadest extent. It was named for a classic albedo feature of the planet and is in the Mare Tyrrhenum quadrangle of Mars... |
15.0°S 270.0°E | 2,300 |
| Xanthe Terra Xanthe Terra Xanthe Terra is a large area on Mars, centered just north of the Martian equator. Its coordinates are and it covers 2465 km at its broadest extent. Its name means "golden-yellow land." It is in the Lunae Palus quadrangle and the Oxia Palus quadrangle.... |
3.0°N 48.0°E | 2,465 |