Ice-filled craters in Mars’ glacier country?
Click for full image.
Today’s cool image returns us to the chaos region dubbed Protonilus Mensae, the middle of three adjacent mensae regions in the northern hemisphere that I like to dub Mars’ glacier country because there is so much evidence of buried ice there.
The photo to the right, cropped to post here, was taken on May 31, 2021 by the high resolution camera of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Titled “Layered Feature in Crater in Protonilus Mensae,” the section I have posted focuses on several craters, with the one with the central mesa likely the picture’s target. Based on many similar features found in craters in this region, it is somewhat safe to assume that this mesa is made of buried ice.
The overview map below as always provides the context.
The red box marks the location of this particular picture. The numbered black boxes indicate cool images in this region that I have previously featured:
- 1. Buried glaciers flowing off of Martian mesa
- 2. Brain Terrain on Mars
- 3. How to spot a glacier on Mars
- 4. Glacier country on Mars
- 5. Revisiting Mars’ glacier country
- 6. Back to Mars’ glacier country
- 7. A cracking Martian glacier?
I’ve noted this previously, but almost every high resolution picture taken by MRO in this region shows some evidence of glacial features. The accumulating images above illustrate this point.
It is very possible that the mesa in this crater is not glacial. However, the soft look of all the craters in this picture, including the full image, suggest an ice-rich terrain with that ice close to the surface.
The global map below gives a wider context, for those planning their own Mars colonization project.
Click for high resolution version.
The two hatched lines at 30 degrees north and south indicate the closest to the equator such glacial features have been identified. The areas outlined in white note regions like Protonilus Mensae where glacial features dominate.
Where would you land? SpaceX is favoring Amazonis Planitia, because it is both flat and ice-rich. I might prefer western Utopia Basin, because it also appears ice rich, is flat, and is relatively close to glacier country as well as a very mineral rich region due north of Perseverance’s landing site in the transition zone between the northern lowlands and the cratered southern highlands.
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In order to remain completely independent and honest in my writing, I accept no sponsorships from big space companies or any political organizations. Nor do I depend on ads.
Instead, I rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal, or $3 to $50 through Patreon, or any amount through Zelle.
The best method to donate or subscribe is by using Zelle through your internet bank account, since it charges no fees to you or I. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). What you donate is what I get.
To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If these electronic payment methods don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
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Click for full image.
Today’s cool image returns us to the chaos region dubbed Protonilus Mensae, the middle of three adjacent mensae regions in the northern hemisphere that I like to dub Mars’ glacier country because there is so much evidence of buried ice there.
The photo to the right, cropped to post here, was taken on May 31, 2021 by the high resolution camera of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Titled “Layered Feature in Crater in Protonilus Mensae,” the section I have posted focuses on several craters, with the one with the central mesa likely the picture’s target. Based on many similar features found in craters in this region, it is somewhat safe to assume that this mesa is made of buried ice.
The overview map below as always provides the context.
The red box marks the location of this particular picture. The numbered black boxes indicate cool images in this region that I have previously featured:
- 1. Buried glaciers flowing off of Martian mesa
- 2. Brain Terrain on Mars
- 3. How to spot a glacier on Mars
- 4. Glacier country on Mars
- 5. Revisiting Mars’ glacier country
- 6. Back to Mars’ glacier country
- 7. A cracking Martian glacier?
I’ve noted this previously, but almost every high resolution picture taken by MRO in this region shows some evidence of glacial features. The accumulating images above illustrate this point.
It is very possible that the mesa in this crater is not glacial. However, the soft look of all the craters in this picture, including the full image, suggest an ice-rich terrain with that ice close to the surface.
The global map below gives a wider context, for those planning their own Mars colonization project.
Click for high resolution version.
The two hatched lines at 30 degrees north and south indicate the closest to the equator such glacial features have been identified. The areas outlined in white note regions like Protonilus Mensae where glacial features dominate.
Where would you land? SpaceX is favoring Amazonis Planitia, because it is both flat and ice-rich. I might prefer western Utopia Basin, because it also appears ice rich, is flat, and is relatively close to glacier country as well as a very mineral rich region due north of Perseverance’s landing site in the transition zone between the northern lowlands and the cratered southern highlands.
In order to remain completely independent and honest in my writing, I accept no sponsorships from big space companies or any political organizations. Nor do I depend on ads.
Instead, I rely entirely on the generosity of readers to keep Behind the Black running. You can either make a one time donation for whatever amount you wish, or you sign up for a monthly subscription ranging from $2 to $15 through Paypal, or $3 to $50 through Patreon, or any amount through Zelle.
The best method to donate or subscribe is by using Zelle through your internet bank account, since it charges no fees to you or I. You will need to give my name and email address (found at the bottom of the "About" page). What you donate is what I get.
To use Patreon, go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
For PayPal click one of the following buttons:
If these electronic payment methods don't work for you, you can support Behind The Black directly by sending your donation by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman, to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
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