Prepared for the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Scientific Investigations Map 3079

Atlas Of Mars: MTM 35337, 40337 and 45337 Quadrangles

Pamphlet accompanies map

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

20 0 20 40 60 80 100

SCALE 1:1 004 000 (1 mm = 1.004 km ) AT 350° LONGITUDE

TRANSVERSE MERCATOR PROJECTION

Prepared on behalf of the Planetary Geology and 

Geophysics Program, Solar System Exploration 

Division, Office of Space Science, National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration

Edited by Theresa Iki; cartography by Darlene A. Ryan

Manuscript approved for publication June 6, 2009

20°

Descriptions of nomenclature used on map are 

listed at http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/

32.5°

33°

34°

KILOMETERS

Planetocentric latitude and east longitude coordinate system shown in black.

Planetographic latitude and west longitude coordinate system shown in red.

South

21°

22°

23°

25°

24°

32.5°

35°

36°

37°

38°

39°

40°

41°

42°

43°

44°

45°

46°

47°

47.5°

CORRELATION OF MAP UNITS

AMAZONIAN

Late

Middle

Early

Late

Early

Late

Middle

Early

HESPERIAN NOACHIAN PERIOD

EPOCH

SURFICIAL

MATERIAL

PLAINS

MATERIAL

PLATEAU

MATERIAL

IMPACT CRATER

MATERIAL

DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS

SURFICIAL MATERIAL

Smooth fill material (Late to Early Amazonian)—Smooth deposits surrounding the areas between blocks 

and knobs on the floors of closed depressions (lat 36.5° N., long 23.3° E.), covering parts of the floors 

of some impact craters, including Cerulli crater, and the small isolated flats along the rim of Cerulli 

crater; patches of small knobs within fill deposits below mappable scale are denoted by hachures; 

grooves in deposits on some impact crater floors follow the curvature of crater walls (lat 36.8° N., long 

22.3° E.). Interpretation: Mass-wasted detritus and eolian materials, possibly mixed with ice, that have 

filled and in some cases, flowed towards the center of low-lying features. Within closed depressions, 

knobs are remnants of eroded blocks and debris from collapse of plateau surface. Within several impact 

craters, flow convergence at crater center may form concentric grooves; alternatively, grooves may be 

eroded airfall deposits producing similar concentric patterns (Zimbelman and others, 1989)

Debris apron material (Middle to Early Amazonian)—Smooth, lobate deposits surrounding and extending 

beyond the bases of mesas, knobs, crater rims, and fretted valley walls; forms bulbous lobes that extend 

through breaks in upper plateau material (unit Nplsu) (lat 39.8° N., long 23.0° E.) and along margin of 

Deuteronilus Colles (lat 41.8° N., long 21.2° E.); some surfaces have lineations parallel or transverse to 

apparent flow direction; some deposits near the slope base are partially covered by one or more apron 

deposits above, forming successive lobate fronts (lat 40.0° N., long 20.5° E.); 1–2 km gap between bases 

of knobs, mesas, and fretted valleys and the apron head are common (lat 40.1° N., long 23.6° E.); 

materials overlie or embay crater ejecta, knobs, plains, and plateau materials (units Nplsu, Nplsl, Npld, 

HNps, Hpm, c1, c2, and c3). Interpretation: Mixtures of ice and mass-wasted detritus that have flowed 

downslope and covered older units. Apron fronts indicate multiple flow events. Deuteronilus Colles 

apron materials may be eroded remnants of an ancient central peak structure. Gaps may represent upper 

margin retreat or downslope advance of the apron mass with cessation of supply

PLAINS MATERIAL

Mottled plains material (Late to Early Hesperian)—Topographically variable materials with bright 

flat-topped surfaces and surrounding lower dark hummocky surfaces; margins of some bright surfaces 

bounded by scarps; hummocky surfaces have small knobs in some locales (lat 45.8° N., long 20.5° E.); 

where adjacent to smooth plains (unit HNps), elevation is similar along the contacts; surfaces are 

topographically below both smooth plateau units (Nplsu and Nplsl). Interpretation: Origin of this unit 

is unknown, but could be related to erosion and redistribution of plateau materials, a transition from 

highland plateau to northern lowlands terrain, or a dark smooth fill material covered with bright patches 

of Lyot crater (lat 50.5° N., long 29.3° E.) ejecta

Smooth plains material (Early Hesperian to Late Noachian)—Smooth, relatively featureless materials 

with regions of variable albedo north of continuous cratered highlands; exhibits scattered clusters of 

small circular to irregular knobs (denoted on map by hachures); dark streaks appear to extend beyond 

the margin of some dark albedo regions (lat 46.0° N., long 21.2° E.); where adjacent to mottled plains 

(unit Hpm), elevation is similar along the contacts. Interpretation: Eroded plateau material (units 

Nplsu, Nplsl, and Npld) deposited in low-lying areas, mixed and (or) covered with eolian deposits. 

Patchy dark albedo areas covered with thin dust mantle that is modified by eolian activity, producing 

wind streaks

PLATEAU MATERIAL

Dissected plateau material (Middle Noachian or older)—Portions of continuous cratered highlands with 

sinuous channels; elongate depressions and secondary crater fields associated with Cerulli crater are 

common; channels are concentric to a sub-circular basin and well-preserved impact crater near lat 36.8° 

N., long 22.3° E.; where adjacent to upper smooth plateau material (unit Nplsu), the materials are at 

similar elevations. Interpretation: Ancient highland plateau modified by impact cratering and fluvial 

activity. Channels may be related to fluvial dissection from fluid migration within impact-fractured 

plateau materials

Upper smooth plateau material (Middle Noachian or older)—Portions of continuous cratered highlands 

that are smooth with minor sinuous channels south of the plateau margin and polygonal mesas north of 

the plateau margin; elevation and crater density of mesa top surfaces generally decrease northward; large 

elongated depressions within continuous highlands contain irregular blocks or knobs of the original 

surface (lat 36.5° N., long 23.3° E.); where in contact with lower smooth plateau material (unit Nplsl), 

this unit is positioned above unit Nplsl (lat 46.6° N., long 21.4° E.), forming a layered sequence of 

plateau materials revealed in polygonal mesas. Interpretation: Ancient highland plateau modified by 

impact cratering, minor fluvial activity, and surface collapse above volatile-rich zones. Mesas are in-situ 

remnants of plateau beyond continuous margin. Knobs are smaller, more eroded remnants of the plateau. 

Knobs in Deuteronilus Colles may be remnants of a central peak from an impact structure

Lower smooth plateau material (Middle Noachian or older)—Portions of cratered highlands above 

surrounding plains (units HNps and Hpm) that are smooth with few impact craters; elevations of 

mesa-like surface tops are consistently between –3,700 m and –3,800 m; albedo generally darker than 

plains in Viking Orbiter data; where in contact with upper smooth plateau material (unit Nplsu), this unit 

is positioned below unit Nplsu (lat 46.6° N., long 21.4° E.). Interpretation: Stratigraphically lower 

portion of ancient highland plateau in relation to Nplsu materials

IMPACT CRATER MATERIAL

Well-preserved crater material (Early Amazonian to Late Hesperian)—Pronounced, continuous rim 

with significant relief relative to surrounding surfaces and continuous ejecta blanket; ejecta blankets 

commonly have rampart margins (lat 42.4° N., long 22.4° E.); many crater floors are covered by surficial 

smooth fill material (unit Afs). Interpretation: Deposits exhibiting little degradation that form ejecta, 

rims, and floors of impact craters

Moderately degraded crater material (Late to Early Hesperian)—Continuous rim with minor relief 

relative to surrounding surfaces and continuous to semi-continuous ejecta blanket; ejecta blankets have 

smooth to pitted surfaces; many crater floors are covered by younger surficial smooth fill material (unit 

Afs). Interpretation: Deposits exhibiting moderate degradation that form ejecta, rims, and floors of 

impact craters

Highly degraded crater material (Early Hesperian to Middle Noachian)—Partial to discontinuous rim 

with little or no relief relative to surrounding surfaces; some ejecta blankets could only be identified 

from brightness differences in THEMIS daytime IR data (lat 42.7° N., long 21.0° E.); some crater floors 

are covered by younger surficial smooth fill or debris apron material (units Afs and Ada). 

Interpretation: Deposits exhibiting extensive degradation that form ejecta, rims, and floors of impact 

craters

Cerulli crater material (Late to Middle Noachian)—Pronounced, continuous rim with significant relief 

relative to surrounding surfaces and continuous ejecta blanket; numerous channels along crater interior 

walls (lat 32.8° N., long 22.1° E.) and outer portions of ejecta blanket; secondary craters and crater fields 

from the impact scattered throughout ejecta blanket and on adjacent plateau materials (units Nplsu and 

Nplsl); linear grooves radial to crater center; crater floor and low-lying regions within rim materials 

covered with surficial smooth fill material (unit Afs). Interpretation: Moderately degraded deposits that 

form ejecta, rim, and floor of Cerulli crater

Contact—Dashed where approximately located; short dashed where inferred

Crater rim—Showing crest. Dashed where approximately located, short dashed where inferred; D > 4.5 

km

Crater rim—Showing crest; 3 < D < 4.5 km

Crater central peak

Rimless crater

Crater ejecta rampart scarp

Closed depression—Showing margin

Scarp—Hachures point downslope

Radial groove

Wrinkle ridge

Flow lineation

Groove

Channel

Graben

Flow front—Arrow indicates flow direction

Secondary crater field

Hummocky texture in smooth fill material (unit Afs)

Knobby texture in smooth plains material (unit HNps)

Ribbed texture

Geologic Map of MTM 35337, 40337, and 45337 Quadrangles,

Deuteronilus Mensae Region of Mars

By

Frank C. Chuang1 and David A. Crown1

2009

1

Planetary Science Institute

 Tucson, AZ 85719-2395

Figure 1. Regional view of Deuteronilus Mensae (lat 30°–48° N., long 15°–40° E.) with MTM 

quadrangles 35337, 40337 and 45337 outlined in white. The approximate location of the Arabia 

shoreline as defined by Clifford and Parker (2001) shown in orange. Most of the shoreline coincides 

with the highland-lowland boundary scarp. Viking MDIM 2.1 at 256 pixel/degree 

(NASA/JPL/USGS) merged with 128 pixel/degree gridded MOLA topographic data in simple 

cylindrical projection. 

Figure 2. Plot of crater density data for geologic units in the 

Deuteronilus Mensae map region (see table 1 for data values, error range 

calculation, and unit names). Solid horizontal lines are breaks between 

Martian periods and dashed horizontal lines are breaks between epochs 

as defined by Tanaka (1986): EN–MN, Early to Middle Noachian; LN, 

Late Noachian; EH, Early Hesperian; LH, Late Hesperian; EA, Early 

Amazonian.

Figure 4. Polygonal mesa consisting of upper smooth plateau 

material (unit Nplsu) on top of lower smooth plateau material 

(unit Nplsl) with exposure of Nplsl surfaces along the mesa 

scarp. The shared contacts and vertical sequence of these two 

units suggests that they are related. Nplsl surfaces may be 

exposed lower layers of plateau materials. Image center near lat 

46.6° N., long 21.4° E. Portion of THEMIS VIS image 

V13954002 (NASA/JPL/ASU). North towards top of image.

45°

15° 20° 25° 30° 35° 40°

35°

30°

40°

20°

21°

23°

22°

25°

24°

47.5°

47°

46°

45°

44°

43°

42°

41°

40°

39°

38°

37°

36°

35°

34°

33°

+ Fig. 9 + Fig. 4

+ Fig. 8

+ Fig. 5

Fig. 15c +

Fig. 13 +

+ Fig. 15b

A′

+ Fig. 11

+ Fig. 6

Fig. 12 +

Fig. 10 +

Fig. 7 +

Fig. 15a +

A

block

surfaces

Figure 7. Portion of a closed depression in the highland 

plateau with smooth fill material (unit Afs) occupying areas 

between adjacent blocks of upper smooth plateau material (unit 

Nplsu). Two surfaces along the edge of one block are clearly 

visible, suggesting that plateau materials may be layered in 

places. The block also stands higher along this edge, suggesting 

that it is tilted down into the smooth fill deposits along the 

opposite edge. Image center near lat 36.6° N., long 23.2° E. 

Portion of MOC NA image E1200224 (NASA/JPL/MSSS). 

North towards top of image.

Figure 8. Dark patchy area within a topographic low in smooth 

plains material (unit HNps). The dark materials appear to be a 

thin mantle covering the plains surface with wind streaks 

radiating away from its edges, indicating recent eolian activity. 

Alternatively, the dark material may underlie the brighter 

material and is exposed by dust devil activity. Note that the 

streaks cross local topographic obstacles such as small impact 

craters. Image center near lat 46.0° N., long 21.2° E. Portion of 

MOC NA image E0401347 (NASA/JPL/MSSS). North 

towards top of image.

Figure 13. Ribbed pattern of ridges (shown by stipple pattern 

on map) along the margin of debris apron materials (unit Ada). 

Partial retreat of the apron margin or apron deposition over an 

uneven pre-existing surface (for example, see ejecta from 

nearby well-preserved impact crater [unit c3] underlying the 

apron deposits) may have produced the ribbed appearance. 

Image center near lat 42.7° N., long 23.3° E. Portion of 

THEMIS VIS image V13592007 (NASA/JPL/ASU). North 

towards top of image.

Figure 15 (left). Four common surface textures observed on lobate debris aprons are (1) smooth with minor 

pits, (2) knobby, (3) lineated, and (4) ridge and valley. These textures likely formed within an ice-rich dust 

mantle on apron surfaces. In the left image (A), surface textures are evident along the edges of small craters 

and their floors are generally smooth, indicating the presence of mantling material. Modification of the 

mantle may have occurred from a combination of ice sublimation, which released the bound dust grains and 

eolian activity that removed the dust. Images A–C and their approximate center locations are portions of 

MOC NA M0402347 (lat 38.3° N., long 23.6° E.), E2100663 (lat 44.3° N., long 22.2° E.), and E1202901 (lat 

43.2° N., long 23.4° E.) (NASA/JPL/MSSS).

Figure 12. Lobes of debris apron material (unit Ada) that 

extend from the mound along the margin of Deuteronilus 

Colles and onto adjacent smooth plains material (unit HNps). 

Knobs of upper smooth plateau material (unit Nplsu) 

surrounded by debris apron material may be the remains of a 

central peak from a large impact structure. Image center near lat 

41.8° N., long 21.2° E. Portion of THEMIS VIS image 

V09636012 (NASA/JPL/ASU). North towards top of image.

0

Figure 11. Lobate debris apron material (unit Ada) extending 

downslope and to the northeast from an escarpment has flowed 

around small knobs (arrows) of upper smooth plateau material 

(unit Nplsu). Curved lineations transverse to the apparent flow 

direction along upper apron slopes could be ridges of material 

displaced upwards. Image center near lat 38.8° N., long 22.5° 

E. Portion of THEMIS VIS images V11146004 and 

V10834007 (NASA/JPL/ASU). North towards top of image.

Figure 14 (right). Topographic profile from the continuous highlands to the 

outermost polygonal mesas shows the same relative elevation of near-boundary 

mesas and highland plateau, but a difference in elevation of some far-boundary 

mesas. Profile location (A–A') is shown in Figure 3. This difference, and the 

general decrease in crater density northward from the continuous plateau, can be 

attributed to an erosional event that removed the upper portion of upper smooth 

plateau material (unit Nplsu). Alternatively, the difference may be related to the 

general decrease in plateau elevation towards the north (plateau slopes down 

into the lowlands). Profile extracted from 128 pixel/degree (~463 m/pixel) 

gridded MOLA topographic data.

Continuous

Highlands

Near-Boundary

Mesas

Far-Boundary

Mesas

500 METERS 0 500 METERS 0 500 METERS

1

1 2

2

2

4

4 4

3

3

A B C

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive 

purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, Box 25286, 

Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225, 1–888–ASK–USGS

Digital files available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3079

0 10 KILOMETERS

Figure 5. Alcoves (arrows) along the scarps of a polygonal mesa of upper 

smooth plateau material (unit Nplsu). The smooth materials within some 

alcove floors have minor surface lineations and (or) raised lobate fronts, 

indicating downslope flow of materials similar to lobate debris aprons (unit 

Ada). Note the approximate 1-km gap between the base of the mesa and the 

head of the apron mass. The gap may have formed by upper margin retreat 

or advancement of the apron mass with cessation of debris supply from the 

source area. Black lines across image are data gaps. Image center near lat 

44.4° N., long 22.5° E. Portion of THEMIS VIS image V01310004 

(NASA/JPL/ASU). North towards top of image.

gap

0 5 KILOMETERS

0 5 KILOMETERS

Figure 6. Closed, irregularly shaped depressions (black outline) with polygonal 

blocks and (or) knobs within a sub-circular basin in the highland plateau. The 

basin is roughly defined by the –2,000 m (green) and –2,100 m (yellow) contours 

from MOLA gridded topography. The knobs and blocks range from a few 

hundred meters to several kilometers across. The areas between the knobs and 

blocks are occupied by smooth fill material (unit Afs). Together, the knobs and 

smooth fill form a hummocky depression floor. The well-preserved impact crater 

near the center of the basin is located at lat 36.8° N., long 22.3° E. Background is 

Viking MDIM 2.1 at 256 pixel/degree (NASA/JPL/USGS). North towards top of 

image.

0 20 KILOMETERS

0 1 KILOMETER

0 5 KILOMETERS

Figure 10. Bulbous lobe of debris apron material (unit Ada) 

with surface lineations that has flowed through a gap in a 

mountainous ridge and onto smooth plains material (unit 

HNps). This lobe, and other prominent lobes nearby, are located 

in an area (40.0° N.) where large apron masses have flowed 

away from the bases of upper smooth plateau material (unit 

Nplsu). Image center near lat 39.8° N., long 23.0° E. Portion of 

THEMIS VIS image V12057009 (NASA/JPL/ASU). North 

towards top of image.

0 5 KILOMETERS

Figure 9. Northern portion of map region with mottled plains 

(unit Hpm) and polygonal mesas of smooth plateau materials 

(units Nplsu and Nplsl). The mottled plains unit is 

topographically variable consisting of bright, flat-topped 

surfaces and lower dark hummocky surfaces. Arrows denote 

the scarps along the margins of several bright surfaces. Image 

center near lat 46.8° N., long 22.5° E. Portion of Viking MTM 

mosaic at 50 m/pixel. North towards top of image.

0 20 KILOMETERS

0 1 KILOMETER

Figure 3. Location map for figures 4–13 and 15A–C. Image center locations are 

approximate. Topographic profile A–A′ is shown for figure 14. Background 

Viking MTM mosaic at 50 m/pixel. 

20°

47.5°

25°

32.5°

0 5 KILOMETERS

–4000

–3500

–3000

–2500

–2000

–1500

A

Meters

–4000

–3500

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45 x Vertical Exaggeration

A'

0.9 –4.4 KILOMETERS

0 125 KILOMETERS

MC–19

MC–3

MC–4 MC–5

MC–6

MC–10 MC–11 MC–12 MC–13

MC–1

MC–18 MC–20 MC–21

MC–25

MC–26 MC–27

MC–28

MC–30

QUADRANGLE LOCATION

Photomosaic showing location of map area. An outline of 

1:5,000,000-scale quadrangles is provided for reference.

300°

300°

60°

60°

0°

30°

65°

270° 315° 0° 45° 90°

–30°

–65°

0°

30°

65°

–30°

–65°

6000

N(2)

EN-MN

Geologic Units

LN

EH

LH

EA

N(2)

N(5)

N(5)

5600

5200

4800

4400

4000

3600

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Meters

Printed on recycled paper

Mensae

Deuteronilus

Mamers

Valles

Ismeniae

Fossae

ARABIA

TERRA

Cerulli

Deuteronilus

Colles

Deuteronilus Mensae

Deuteronilus Mensae

ARABIA

TERRA

Cerulli

c2

Afs

Ada

Hpm c2

c3

HNps

Npld

Nplsu

Nplsl

c1

Ncc

Nplsu

Nplsl

Nplsl

Afs

Nplsu

Nplsu

Ada

Ada

Nplsu

HNps

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsl

Nplsl

Hpm

Hpm

Hpm

c3

c3

Ada Ada

Nplsu, Npld Nplsu

HNps Nplsu Nplsu

Ada

Ada

Nplsu

Ada

HNps

Nplsu

Ada

Ada

c1 c2 c3 Afs Nplsl Ada Hpm HNps Ncc Npld Nplsu

Afs

Ada

Hpm

HNps

Npld

Nplsu

Nplsl

c3

c2

c1

Ncc

Ada

Ada

c2

HNps

HNps

Nplsu

Nplsu

Afs

Nplsu

Nplsu

c2

c2 c2

c2 c2

c2

c1

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

c2

HNps

HNps

HNps

Hpm

Hpm

Hpm

Hpm

Nplsl

c2

c1

c1

c1

c2

Afs

Ada

Ada

Nplsl

Nplsl

Nplsl Nplsl

Nplsl

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

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c2

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c1

Afs

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Afs

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Afs

Afs

Ada

Ncc

Ncc

Ncc

Npld

Npld

Npld

Npld

c2

c2

Npld

Afs

Afs

Afs

Afs

Afs

Afs

Afs

Afs

Npld

Afs

Afs

Nplsu

Nplsu

c1

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

c2

c2

c2

c2

c2

c2

c2

c2

c2

c1

c1

c1

c1

c1

c3

c3

Afs

Afs

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

Ada

c3

Ada

Nplsu

HNps

HNps

HNps

HNps

HNps

HNps

Npld

Npld

Nplsu

Nplsu

Afs

Ada

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu

Nplsu Nplsu

Nplsu

c2

c1

c1

c1

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c1

c1

c3

c2

c2

HNps

c2

 

340°

33°

339°

338°

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34°

47.5°

340°

339°

337°

338°

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336°

47.5°

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35337

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45337