{{Short description|Patera on Mars}} {{Infobox feature on celestial object |name = Peneus Patera |image = [[Image:Scalloped Terrain at Peneus Patera.JPG|200px]] |caption = Scalloped Terrain at Peneus Patera, as seen by [[HiRISE]]. Scalloped terrain is quite common in some areas of Mars. |coordinates = {{coord|58.1|S|307.5|W|globe:mars_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} }} '''Peneus Patera''' is a feature in the [[Noachis quadrangle]] of Mars. It is located at 58.1 S and 307.5 W. It was named after an [[albedo feature]] at 48S, 290W.<ref>[http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature]</ref>
== Scalloped topography == Peneus Patera shows [[scalloped topography]] - depressions with scalloped edges. Sometimes the depressions seem to coalesce together. These features typically occur at about 55 degrees north and south latitude. They are believed to form from the removal of subsurface material, maybe interstitial ice by [[sublimation (phase transition)|sublimation]] (change from solid to a gas). More gentle slopes face in the direction of the equator, while steep [[Escarpment|scarps]] face the pole. This is probably due to differences in solar heating. The process is believed to be ongoing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_002296_1215 | title=Scalloped Topography in Peneus Patera Crater | website=[[HiRISE]] project, Lunar & Planetary Laboratory | publisher=[[University of Arizona]] | accessdate=23 June 2021 | author=Maria Banks | date=28 February 2007}}</ref>
This topography may be of great importance for future colonization of Mars because it may point to [[Water on Mars#Ground ice|deposits of pure ice]].<ref name="Dundas, C. 2015">{{cite journal | last1 = Dundas | first1 = C. | last2 = Bryrne | first2 = S. | last3 = McEwen | first3 = A. | year = 2015 | title = Modeling the development of martian sublimation thermokarst landforms | url =https://zenodo.org/record/1259051 | journal = Icarus | volume = 262 | pages = 154–169 | doi=10.1016/j.icarus.2015.07.033 | bibcode=2015Icar..262..154D}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Solar System}} * [[Climate of Mars]] * [[HiRISE]]
==References== {{commonscat|Peneus Patera}} {{reflist}} {{Mars}}
[[Category:Noachis quadrangle]] [[Category:Volcanoes of Mars]]
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