MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-536, 6 November 2003

This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows a typical view--at 1.5 meters (5 feet) per pixel--of surfaces in far western Utopia Planitia. In this region, the plains have developed cracks and pit chains arranged in a polygonal pattern. The pits form by collapse along the trend of a previously-formed crack. This picture is located near 45.0°N, 275.4°W. This April 2003 image covers an area 3 km (1.9 mi) wide and is illuminated by sunlight from the lower left.