# Nili Fossae > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nili_Fossae > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nili_Fossae.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nili_Fossae > Source revision: 1311484087 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Group of large, concentric grabens on Mars, Nili Fossae Nili Fossae as seen by CRISM. Top left: location of observation. Bottom left: context of observation. Top right: yellow-brown areas denote olivine, bright green areas denote phyllosilicates and purple areas pyroxene. Bottom right: approximate true-color view of the target area. Coordinates 22°34′N 76°48′E / 22.57°N 76.8°E / 22.57; 76.8 Length 667.0 [Viking Orbiter 1](/source/Viking_program) mosaic of Nili Fossae **Nili Fossae** is a group of large, concentric [grabens](/source/Graben) on Mars, in the [Syrtis Major quadrangle](/source/Syrtis_Major_quadrangle). They have been eroded and partly filled in by [sediments](/source/Sediment) and [clay](/source/Clay)-rich [ejecta](/source/Ejecta) from a nearby giant [impact crater](/source/Impact_crater), the [Isidis basin](/source/Isidis_basin).[1] It is at approximately 22°N, 75°E, and has an elevation of −0.6 km (−0.37 mi). A large exposure of [olivine](/source/Olivine) is in Nili Fossae.[2] In December 2008, [NASA](/source/NASA)'s [Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter](/source/Mars_Reconnaissance_Orbiter) found that rocks at Nili Fossae contain [carbonate minerals](/source/Carbonate_minerals), a [geologically significant discovery](/source/Carbonates_on_Mars).[3][4][5] Other minerals found by [MRO](/source/Mars_Reconnaissance_Orbiter) are aluminum [smectite](/source/Smectite), iron/[magnesium](/source/Magnesium) smecite, hydrated [silica](/source/Silica), [kaolinite](/source/Kaolinite) group minerals, and [iron oxides](/source/Iron_oxide).[6] NASA scientists discovered that Nili Fossae is the source of plumes of [methane](/source/Methane), raising the question of whether this source originates from biological sources.[7][8] Researchers in July 2010 suggested that carbonate bearing rocks found in the Nili Fossae region of Mars are made up of hydrothermally altered [ultramafic](/source/Ultramafic) rocks. Consequently, hydrothermal activity would have provided sufficient energy for biological activity. Evidence of living organisms could have been preserved.[9] Nili Fossae trough is thought to have resulted from the impact that formed the nearby Isidis basin.[10][11] Nili Fossae was on the list of potential landing sites of the [Mars Science Laboratory](/source/Mars_Science_Laboratory), arriving in 2012, but was dropped before the final four sites were determined.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Although not among the last finalists, in September 2015 it was selected as a potential landing site for the [Mars 2020](/source/Mars_2020) rover, which will use the same design as *[Curiosity](/source/Curiosity_(rover))*, but with a different payload focused on astrobiology. Nili Fossae is also considered ideal for future human exploration, with the prominent Gavin Crater at 21.43°N, 76.93°E considered the most likely landing zone in Nili Fossae. Estimating [carbon](/source/Carbon) in the Nili Fossae plains region of [Mars](/source/Mars) from orbiters. Nili Fossae – largest known [carbonate](/source/Carbonate) deposit on Mars. Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Nili Fossae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Nili_Fossae). Nili Fossae Trough was one of seven finalists for the MSL landing site:[12] - [Eberswalde Crater](/source/Eberswalde_Crater) - [Gale Crater](/source/Gale_Crater) - [Holden Crater](/source/Holden_(Martian_crater)) - [Mawrth Vallis](/source/Mawrth_Vallis) - [Miyamoto Crater](/source/Miyamoto_Crater) - Nili Fossae Trough - Southern [Meridiani](/source/Meridiani_Planum) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Grotzinger, J. and R. Milliken. 2012. Sedimentary Geology of Mars. SEPM. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Hoefen, T.M., et al. 2003. Discovery of Olivine in the Nili Fossae Region of Mars. Science 302, 627–630. "[https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1089647](https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1089647)" 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Nasa finds 'missing' Mars mineral](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7791060.stm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Mars' Missing Atmosphere Likely Lost in Space"](http://www.space.com/30746-mars-missing-atmosphere-lost-in-space.html). *[Space.com](/source/Space.com)*. 5 October 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Edwards, C., B. Ehlmann. 2015. Carbon sequestration on Mars. Geology: doi: 10.1130/G36983.1. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Murchie, S. et al. 2009. A synthesis of Martian aqueous mineralogy after 1 Mars year of observations from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Journal of Geophysical Research: 114. E00D06. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Mars Methane Found, Raising Possibility of Life](http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/15/mars-methane-life.html) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [New light on Mars methane mystery](https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7829315.stm) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Adrian J. Brown, Simon J. Hook, Alice M. Baldridge, James K. Crowley, Nathan T. Bridges, Bradley J. Thomson, Giles M. Marion, Carlos R. de Souza Filho, [Janice L. Bishop](/source/Janice_Bishop). 2010. "Hydrothermal formation of Clay-Carbonate alteration assemblages in the Nili Fossae region of Mars". *Earth and Planetary Science Letters*, 2010; [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.epsl.2010.06.018](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.epsl.2010.06.018) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Potential Mars Science Laboratory Landing Site: Nili Fossae Trough](http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_008927_2010) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Craddock, R. 1994. *[Geological history of Isidis Planitia and Syrtis Major Planum, Mars](http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc1994/pdf/1146.pdf)*. Houston, Texas, LPS XXV. 291–292 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Seven Possible MSL Landing Sites – Mars Science Laboratory"](https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/mission/timeline/prelaunch/landingsiteselection/sevencandidates/). v t e Geography and geology of Mars Cartography Regions Abalos Undae Aspledon Undae Arabia Terra Cerberus Cydonia Eridania Lake Hyperboreae Undae Ogygis Undae Olympia Undae Planum Australe Planum Boreum Quadrangles Sinus Meridiani Siton Undae Tempe Terra Terra Cimmeria Terra Sabaea Tharsis Vastitas Borealis Quadrangles Aeolis Amazonis Amenthes Arabia Arcadia Argyre Casius Cebrenia Coprates Diacria Elysium Eridania Hellas Iapygia Ismenius Lacus Lunae Palus Mare Acidalium Mare Australe (South Pole) Mare Boreum (North Pole) Mare Tyrrhenum Margaritifer Sinus Memnonia Noachis Oxia Palus Phaethontis Phoenicis Lacus Sinus Sabaeus Syrtis Major Tharsis Thaumasia Geology Surface features Brain terrain Carbonates Chaos terrain Color Composition Concentric crater fill Dark slope streak Dichotomy Dune fields Hagal Nili Patera Fretted terrain Geysers Glaciers Groundwater Gullies Inverted relief Lakes Lava tubes Lineated valley fill (LVF) Lobate debris apron North Polar Basin Ocean hypothesis Ore resources Outflow channels Polar caps Ring mold craters Rootless cones Scalloped topography Seasonal flows Soil Spherules Surface Swiss cheese features Terrain softening Tholus Upper plains unit Valley networks Water discovery chronology Yardangs History Amazonian Hesperian Noachian Volcanology Observation history Canals (list) Classical albedo features Rocks observed Curiosity rover Bathurst Inlet Coronation Goulburn Hottah Jake Matijevic Link Rocknest Rocknest 3 Tintina Opportunity rover Bounce El Capitan Last Chance Sojourner rover Barnacle Bill Yogi Spirit rover Adirondack Home Plate Mimi Pot of Gold Viking Big Joe Other Face Monolith Meteorites found on Mars Block Island Heat Shield Mackinac Island Meridiani Planum Oileán Ruaidh Shelter Island Martian meteorites found on Earth Balsaltic Breccia Chassignites Nakhlites Shergottites Other List Topography Mountains, volcanoes (list by height) Acidalia Colles Alba Mons Anseris Mons Apollinaris Mons Ariadnes Colles Astapus Colles Ausonia Montes Avernus Colles Biblis Tholus Centauri Montes Charitum Montes Echus Montes Elysium Elysium Mons Albor Tholus Hecates Tholus Erebus Montes Galaxius Mons Hadriacus Mons Hellas Montes Jovis Tholus Libya Montes Mount Sharp Nereidum Montes Olympus Mons Phlegra Montes Syrtis Major Planum Tartarus Colles Tartarus Montes Tharsis Montes Ascraeus Pavonis Arsia Tharsis Tholus Tyrrhenus Mons Ulysses Tholus Uranius group Uranius Mons Ceraunius Tholus Uranius Tholus Plains, plateaus Acidalia Planitia Aeolis Palus Amazonis Planitia Arcadia Planitia Argentea Planum Argyre Planitia Chryse Planitia Daedalia Planum Elysium Planitia Eridania Planitia Hellas Planitia Hesperia Planum Icaria Planum Isidis Planitia Lunae Planum Meridiani Planum Oxia Planum Planum Australe Planum Boreum Syria Planum Syrtis Major Planum Utopia Planitia Eden Patera Orcus Patera Peneus Patera Pityusa Patera Siloe Patera Canyons, valleys Aram Chaos Arsia Chasmata Aromatum Chaos Atlantis Chaos Aureum Chaos Candor Chasma Chasma Boreale Coprates Chasma Echus Chasma Eos Chaos Eos Chasma Galaxias Chaos Ganges Chasma Gorgonum Chaos Hebes Chasma Hydaspis Chaos Hydraotes Chaos Iani Chaos Ister Chaos Ius Chasma Juventae Chasma Melas Chasma Ophir Chasma Tithonium Chasma List of valles Apsus Ares Arnus Asopus Athabasca Auqakuh Bahram Buvinda Dao Enipeus Frento Granicus Green Valley Harmakhis Hebrus Her Desher Hrad Huo Hsing Hypanis Iberus Indus Ituxi Kasei Labou Ladon Lethe Licus Louros Maʼadim Mad Maja Mamers Mangala Marineris Labes Marte Maumee Mawrth Minio Naktong Nanedi Niger Nirgal Padus Paraná Patapsco Peace Rahway Ravi Reull Sabis Sabrina Samara Scamander Shalbatana Simud Stura Tader Tinia Tinjar Tiu Tyras Uzboi ULM Vedra Verde Warrego Fossae, mensae, rupes, labyrinthi Amenthes Fossae Ceraunius Fossae Cerberus Fossae Coloe Fossae Cyane Fossae Elysium Fossae Hephaestus Fossae Icaria Fossae Labeatis Fossae Mangala Fossa Mareotis Fossae Medusae Fossae Memnonia Fossae Nili Fossae Olympica Fossae Oti Fossae Sirenum Fossae Tantalus Fossae Tempe Fossae Tithonium Fossae Tractus Fossae Ulysses Fossae Aeolis Mensae Ausonia Mensa Capri Mensa Cydonia Mensae Deuteronilus Mensae Ganges Mensa Nilosyrtis Mensae Protonilus Mensae Sacra Mensa Claritas Rupes Nilokeras Scopulus Olympus Rupes Rupes Tenuis Angustus Labyrinthus Noctis Labyrinthus Catenae, craters Artynia Catena Tithoniae Catenae Tractus Catena Adams Agassiz Airy Airy-0 Aniak Antoniadi Arandas Argo Arkhangelsky Arrhenius Asimov Bacolor Bakhuysen Baldet Baltisk Bamberg Barabashov Barnard Beagle Becquerel Beer Belz Bernard Bianchini Boeddicker Bok Bond Bonestell Bonneville Brashear Briault Burroughs Burton Campbell Canso Cassini Caxias Cerulli Chafe Chapais Chincoteague Chryse Alien Clark Coblentz Columbus Copernicus Corby Crewe Crivitz Crommelin Cruls Curie Da Vinci Danielson Darwin Davies Dawes Dejnev Denning Dilly Dinorwic Douglass Dromore Du Martheray Eagle (Acidalia Planitia) Eagle (Meridiani Planum) Eberswalde Eddie Ejriksson Emma Dean Endeavour Matijevic Hill Endurance Erebus Escalante Eudoxus Fenagh Fesenkov Firsoff Flammarion Flaugergues Focas Fontana Fournier Fram Freedom Galdakao Gale Galle Garni Gasa Gilbert Gill Gledhill Gold Graff Green Grindavik Gusev Apollo 1 Hills Chaffee Grissom White Columbia Hills Husband McCool Sleepy Hollow Hadley Haldane Hale Halley Hargraves Hartwig Heaviside Heimdal Heinlein Helmholtz Henry Herschel Hipparchus Holden Holmes Hooke Huggins Hussey Hutton Huxley Huygens Iazu Ibragimov Inuvik Janssen Jarry-Desloges Jeans Jezero Jezža Joly Jones Kaiser Keeler Kepler Kinkora Kipini Knobel Koga Korolev Kufra Kuiper Kunowsky Lambert Lamont Lampland Lassell Lau Le Verrier Li Fan Liais Lipik Liu Hsin Llanesco Lockyer Lod Lohse Lomonosov Louth Lowell Lyell Lyot Mädler Magelhaens Maggini Main Mandora Maraldi Mariner Marth Martz Masursky Maunder McLaughlin McMurdo Mellish Mendel Mie Milankovic Millochau Mitchel Miyamoto Mohawk Mojave Molesworth Montevallo Moreux Müller Nansen Nereus Newton Nhill Nicholson Niesten Nipigon Onon Orson Welles Oudemans Palana Pangboche Pasteur Penticton Perepelkin Peridier Persbo Pettit Phillips Pickering Playfair Pollack Poona Porter Porth Priestley Proctor Ptolemaeus Puńsk Quenisset Rabe Radau Rahe Rayleigh Redi Renaudot Reuyl Reynolds Richardson Ritchey Robert Sharp Roddenberry Ross Rossby Rudaux Russell Rutherford Sagan Saheki Santa Maria Schaeberle Schiaparelli Schmidt Secchi Semeykin Sharonov Sibu Sinton Sitka Sklodowska Slipher Smith South Spallanzani Srīpur Steno Stokes Stoney Suess Suzhi Tarsus Taytay Teisserenc de Bort Terby Thila Thira Tikhonravov Tikhov Timbuktu Tombaugh Tooting Trouvelot Troy Trud Trumpler Tugaske Tycho Brahe Tyndall Udzha Vernal Very Victoria Cape Verde Vinogradov Vinogradsky Virrat Vishniac Vogel Von Kármán Vostok Wallace Wegener Weinbaum Wells Williams Winslow Wirtz Wislicenus Wright Yuty Zumba Zunil v t e Mars 2020 Timeline of Mars 2020 Payloads Perseverance rover Ingenuity helicopter (list of flights) Rover instruments Hazcam Mastcam-Z MEDA MOXIE Navcam PIXL RIMFAX SHERLOC SuperCam Rover embedded computers Features MarsDial Multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator Rocker-bogie Sky crane Proposed landing sites Selected Jezero crater Finalists Columbia Hills in Gusev crater Jezero crater Syrtis Major Planum Other Eberswalde crater Holden crater Mawrth Vallis Nili Fossae Melas Chasma Related Octavia E. Butler Landing Wright Brothers Field Cheyava Falls Mars rover Exploration of Mars Life on Mars NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return Category Solar System portal Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Israel --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nili Fossae](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nili_Fossae) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nili_Fossae?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.