16 June 2004
This Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) image shows the banded southeastern floor of the giant impact basin, Hellas. Hellas Planitia is a large and varied region. In southeastern Hellas, banded terrain is fairly common. The pattern probably results from erosion of layered sediment that was subsequently covered by a mantling material. This mantling material later was eroded and roughened the terrain somewhat. This image is located near 41.1°S, 275.6°W. The picture covers an area about 3 km (1.9 mi) across; sunlight illuminates the scene from the upper left.