Hesperia Planum

Hesperia Planum
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MOLA colorized relief map of Hesperia Planum region. Hesperia Planum has fewer impact craters than the surrounding Noachian highlands of Tyrrhena Terra and Terra Cimmeria. This indicates that the plain is younger than its more heavily cratered surroundings.
Feature typeLava plain
LocationMare Tyrrhenum quadrangle, Mars
Coordinates21°25′S 109°53′E / 21.417°S 109.883°E / -21.417; 109.883[1]
Diameter~1 600 km[1]
EponymPoetic Hesperia

Hesperia Planum is a broad lava plain in the southern highlands of the planet Mars. The plain is notable for its moderate number of impact craters and abundant wrinkle ridges. It is also the location of the ancient volcano Tyrrhena Mons (Tyrrhena Patera). The Hesperian time period on Mars is named after Hesperia Planum.[2][3]

MOLA map showing exact boundaries of it and other regions. Color indicates elevation.
  1. ^ a b "Hesperia Planum". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program. (Center Latitude: -21.42°, Center Longitude: 109.89°)
  2. ^ Scott, D.H.; Carr, M.H. (1978). Geologic Map of Mars. U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I-1083.
  3. ^ Morton, 2002, p. 117.