Chaos terrain

Chaos terrain (or chaotic terrain) is an astrogeological term used to denote planetary surface areas where features such as ridges, cracks, and plains appear jumbled and enmeshed with one another. Chaos terrain is a notable feature of the planet Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa. In scientific nomenclature, "chaos" is used as a component of proper nouns (e.g., "Aureum Chaos" on Mars).

Chaos terrain on Mars

<gallery>Image:Margaritifer Sinus Map.JPG|Map of Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle with major features labeled. Aureum Chaos is near the top of the map.

Image:Canyons and Mesas of Aureum Chaos in Oxia Palus.JPG|Huge canyons in Aureum Chaos, as seen by THEMIS. Gullies are rare at this latitude. Image from Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle.

Image:Iani Chaos.JPG|Iani Chaos, as seen by THEMIS. Sand from eroding mesas is covering brighter floor material. Click on image to see relationship of Iani Chaos to other local features. Image from Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle.

Image:Oxia Palus Map.JPG|Quadrangle map of Oxia Palus labeled with major features. This quadrangle contains many collapsed areas of Chaos and many outflow channels (old river valleys).

Image:Erosion in Aram Chaos.JPG|Erosion in Aram Chaos, as seen by THEMIS. Image in Oxia Palus quadrangle.

Image:Blocks in Aram.JPG|Blocks in Aram showing possible source of water, as seen by THEMIS. Image in Oxia Palus quadrangle.

Image:Hydraotes...
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