IMAGE DETAILS

Mars Report Ref: MIA041

Report date: August 2019

Research Status: Open - Possible artificial construction

Description: Ruins of a Settlement #2
Approximate size: 70-80 m / 230-260 ft

Mission: HiRISE/MRO
Location: Atlantis Chaos

Found by: Javed Raza

Image date: Aug 2010
Image credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

Graphics/image editing: M. J. Craig

Image source: https://www.uahirise.org/ESP_019103_1460

OBSERVATIONS

The square artificial-looking "walls and ruins" appear convincing when they are viewed in isolation. But a study of the surrounding geological terrain reveals two factors that negate the likelihood of them being artificial:

1. The straight edges that make up the square structures, run parallel to widespread linear striations in the landscape that are clearly of a geological nature.

2. There are many more similar-shaped features that are more mound-shaped and rounded, up to 400 metres and beyond the target location. These more prevalent structures appear to 'grow' from the more obvious square structures, which strongly suggests they share a common geological origin.

POTENTIAL FOR AN ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURE

Additional image analysis by J. Raza and G. Haas, appear to reveal 'eroded cubicle structures', which may increase the possibility that these structures are artificial.

COMMON EXPLANATION

Possibly eroded mounds of rock/sediment that are beginning to form a kind of tessellated pavement structure.

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