{{Short description|Map of Mars}} {{Infobox feature on celestial object |name = Memnonia [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]] |image = [[File:USGS-Mars-MC-16-MemnoniaRegion-mola.png|300px]] |caption = Elevation map of Memnonia quadrangle from [[Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter]] (MOLA) data. |coordinates = {{coord|15|S|157.5|W|globe:mars_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} }}
[[File:PIA00176-MC-16-MemnoniaRegion-19980605.jpg|thumb|300px|Image of the Memnonia Quadrangle (MC-16). The south includes heavily cratered highlands intersected, in the northeastern part, by [[Mangala Vallis]]. The north contains undulating wind-eroded deposits and the east contains lava flows from the [[Tharsis|Tharsis region]].]] The '''Memnonia quadrangle''' is one of a series of [[list of quadrangles on Mars|30 quadrangle maps of Mars]] used by the [[United States Geological Survey]] (USGS) [[Astrogeology Research Program]]. The Memnonia quadrangle is also referred to as MC-16 (Mars Chart-16).<ref>Davies, M.E.; Batson, R.M.; Wu, S.S.C. "Geodesy and Cartography" in Kieffer, H.H.; Jakosky, B.M.; Snyder, C.W.; Matthews, M.S., Eds. ''Mars.'' University of Arizona Press: Tucson, 1992.</ref>
The [[quadrangle (geography)|quadrangle]] is a region of [[Mars]] that covers latitude -30° to 0° and longitude 135° to 180°.<ref>[https://astrogeology.usgs.gov/Projects/MapBook/fulllisting.jsp?mapNumber=633 USGS Astrogeology: Planetary Map Listing<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The western part of Memnonia is a highly cratered highland region that exhibits a large range of crater degradation.
Memnonia includes the [[Arcadia Planitia]], [[Amazonis Planitia]], [[Lucus Planum]], [[Terra Sirenum]], [[Daedalia Planum]], and [[Terra Cimmeria]] regions.
Many ancient river [[Vallis (planetary geology)|valleys]] including [[Mangala Vallis]], have been found in the Memnonia quadrangle. Mangala appears to have begun with the formation of a [[graben]], a set of [[fault (geology)|fault]]s that may have exposed an [[aquifer]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.msss.com/http/ps/channels/channels.html |title=Mars Channels and Valleys |publisher=Msss.com |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>
== Layers == [[Columbus Crater]] contains layers, also called strata. Many places on Mars show rocks arranged in layers. Sometimes the layers are of different colors. Light-toned rocks on Mars have been associated with hydrated minerals like [[sulfates]]. The [[Mars rover]] ''[[Opportunity (rover)|Opportunity]]'' examined such layers close-up with several instruments. Some layers are probably made up of fine particles because they seem to break up into fine dust. Other layers break up into large boulders so they are probably much harder. [[Basalt]], a volcanic rock, is thought to in the layers that form boulders. Basalt has been identified on Mars in many places. Instruments on orbiting spacecraft have detected [[clay]] (also called [[phyllosilicate]]) in some layers. Recent research with an orbiting near-infrared [[spectrometer]], which reveals the types of minerals present based on the wavelengths of light they absorb, found evidence of layers of both clay and sulfates in Columbus crater.<ref>Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier.NY.</ref> This is exactly what would appear if a large lake had slowly evaporated.<ref>Wray, J. et al. 2009. Columbus Crater and other possible plaelakes in Terra Sirenum, Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. 40: 1896.</ref> Moreover, because some layers contained [[gypsum]], a sulfate which forms in relatively fresh water, life could have formed in the crater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091125-mars-crater-lake-michigan-water_2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205065541/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/11/091125-mars-crater-lake-michigan-water_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 5, 2009 |title=Martian "Lake Michigan" Filled Crater, Minerals Hint |publisher=News.nationalgeographic.com |date=2010-10-28 |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>
Scientists are excited about finding hydrated minerals such as [[sulfates]] and clays on Mars because they are usually formed in the presence of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themis.asu.edu/features/nilosyrtis |title=Target Zone: Nilosyrtis? | Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS |publisher=Themis.asu.edu |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref> Places that contain clays and/or other hydrated minerals would be good places to look for evidence of life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_004046_2080 |title=HiRISE | Craters and Valleys in the Elysium Fossae (PSP_004046_2080) |publisher=Hirise.lpl.arizona.edu |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>
Rock can form layers in a variety of ways. Volcanoes, wind, or water can produce layers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?PSP_008437_1750 |title=HiRISE | High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment |publisher=Hirise.lpl.arizona.edu?psp_008437_1750 |access-date=2012-08-04}}</ref>
==Mangala Vallis== Mangala Vallis is a major channel system that contains several basins which filled, then the overflow went through a series of spillways.<ref>Cabrol, N. and E. Grin (eds.). 2010. Lakes on Mars. Elsevier. NY.</ref><ref>Emrick, C. and R. De Hon. 1999. Flood discharge through Labou Vallis, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXX: Abstract #1893.</ref> One source of waters for the system was Memonia Fossae, but water also probably came from a large basin centered at 40'''°''' S.<ref>Zimbelman, J. et al. 1992. Volatile history of Mangala Valles, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 97: 18309-18317</ref><ref>De Hon, R. 1994. Lacustrine sedimentation in lower Mangals Valles. Mars Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. XXVII: 295-296</ref>
==See also== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} * [[Climate of Mars]] * [[Dark slope streaks]] * [[Fossa (geology)]] * [[Geology of Mars]] * [[Groundwater on Mars]] * [[HiRISE]] * [[High Resolution Stereo Camera]] - HRSC * [[HiWish program]] * [[Impact crater]] * [[Lakes on Mars]] * [[List of quadrangles on Mars]] * [[Linear ridge networks]] * [[Lucus Planum]] * [[Mariner 4]] * [[Mars Express]] * [[Mars Global Surveyor]] * [[Mars Orbiter Camera]] * [[Mars Orbiter Mission]] * [[2001 Mars Odyssey]] * [[MAVEN]] * [[Thermal Emission Imaging System]]- THEMIS * [[Viking program]] * [[Vallis (planetary geology)|Vallis]] * [[Valley networks (Mars)]] * [[Water on Mars]] * [[Yardang]] * [[Yardangs on Mars]] {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== {{commons category|Memnonia quadrangle}} * [https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2004/pdf/1439.pdf Lpi.usra.edu] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060509203046/http://ralphaeschliman.com/atlasofmars/13axsm.pdf Ralphaeschliman.com] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20141004105217/http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/onlinebks/MARS/CHAP12.HTM Uapress.arizona.edu] {{Mars quadrangle layout}} {{Mars}} {{Portal bar|Solar System}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Memnonia Quadrangle}} [[Category:Memnonia quadrangle| ]] [[Category:Mars]]