New satellite images reveal for the first time ever an immense'scar' on Mars that spans Grand Canyon-size.

An orbiting satellite recently captured incredible images of an enormous “scar” cut across Mars by volcanic activity millions of years ago, complete with distinctive stripes resembling those seen on animals such as zebras. Aganippe Fossa, which stands out on Earth like an eye, is an unusual graben – defined as an area featuring shallow valleys with steep walls on either side, as reported by European Space Agency (ESA). Astronomers first observed it as early as 1930 but only officially named it in 1976 according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Although incomplete with various breaks along its groove from end-to-end, it is considered one structure spanning around 375 miles (600 kilometers). That distance dwarfs that of the Grand Canyon, which spans 277 miles (446 km). According to National Park Service data, However, this structure still pales in comparison with Mars’ Valles Marineris — the longest canyon in our solar system — stretching for more than 2,500 miles (4 000 km). ESA’s Mars Express orbiter captured new photos on December 13, 2023 and made them public today. Since 1994, an orbiting satellite has been orbiting Mars with an elliptical orbit and providing stunning photos like the one below of its surroundings – particularly its striking landscape that changes along either side of a giant crack in its crust. On the left side, the ground appears highly uneven with mounds, grooves and ridges scattered about; on the other hand, right land features smooth areas decorated with “zebra-like” stripes similar to that seen on ESA representatives’ models of Earth. This difference likely resulted from historical wind erosion to the right of the graben, which had worn away parts of Earth’s surface there over time. However, it remains a mystery why other areas were unaffected. (see “15 Martian objects that don’t look the way they should”)This map of Mars illustrates where Aganippe Fossa stands (blue line in bottom left) relative to other Martian locations such as Olympus Mons (top left), Tharsis volcanoes (3 in total), Valles Marineris (2 on each side and bottom right respectively). Ganippe Fossa lies near the foothills of Arsia Mons, an extinct volcano on Mars’ Tharsis plateau with an approximate 12-mile height (20 kilometers). This region includes two other major volcanoes – Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons – which form an almost-perpendicular line across Earth’s equator. Olympus Mons, the tallest peak in our solar system, stands just outside Tharsis and towers over 16 miles (25 km), three times taller than Mount Everest. A scar on Arsia Mons was likely caused by magma pooling beneath Arsia Mons long ago – likely as a result of pooled magma pushing upward on Arsia Mons and splitting apart its crust, ESA representatives wrote. Aganippe Fossa remains uncertain in age; however, NASA estimated that volcanic activity ceased around 50 million years ago. Scientists recently uncovered evidence of volcanic activity on Mars as recent as 50,000 years ago, suggesting it hasn’t been dormant as we once assumed. Grabens like Noctis Labyrinthus (“Labyrinth of Night,” Latin) which lies between Tharsis and Valles Marineris is also present there and were recently highlighted by findings including evidence for volcanic eruption in Noctis Labyrinthus that existed several thousand years ago and 150,000 tons frozen water across three Tharsis volcanoes this year alone! This area made headlines this year due to discoveries including hidden volcanos close by Noctis Labyrinthus plus 150,000 tons frozen water spread over its three volcanoes!