Tractus Fossae

{{Short description|Troughs on Mars}} {{Infobox feature on celestial object |name = Tractus Fossae |image = Tractus Fossae based on day THEMIS.png |caption = Tractus Fossae based on [[Thermal Emission Imaging System|THEMIS]] day-time image |coordinates = {{coord|26|N|101.4|W|globe:mars_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |naming = a classical albedo feature name }} The '''Tractus Fossae''' are a set of troughs in the [[Tharsis quadrangle]] of Mars, located at 26° north latitude and 101.4° west longitude. They are {{Convert|390|km|abbr=on}} long and are named after a classical albedo feature name.<ref>[https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/jsp/FeatureNameDetail.jsp?feature=66244 Mars: Tractus Fossae]</ref> The term "fossae" is used to indicate large troughs when using geographical terminology related to Mars. Troughs, sometimes also called [[graben]]s, form when the crust is stretched until it breaks, which forms two breaks with a middle section moving down, leaving steep cliffs along the sides. Sometimes, a line of pits form as materials collapse into a void that forms from the stretching.<ref>[https://www.msss.com/mars_images/moc/2004/01/29/index.html Mars Global Surveyor MOC2-620 Release]</ref>

{{Gallery|File:Pit chain in Tractus Fossae Tharsis.JPG|Trough within the Tractus Fossae caused by [[fault (geology)|faults]] and resulting collapse of material into faults forming a chain of pits, as seen by [[Mars Global Surveyor]]. |File:Tractus Fossae Ringed Pit.JPG|Tractus Fossae ringed pit, as seen by [[HiRISE]]. Scale bar is 1000 meters long. }}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==See also==

* [[Fossa (geology)]] * [[Geology of Mars]] * [[HiRISE]]

[[Category:Valleys and canyons on Mars]] [[Category:Tharsis quadrangle]]