Aganippe Fossa is a fossa (surface feature) on Mars in the Phoenicis Lacus quadrangle. It is a graben that stretches around 600 km (370 mi).[1] It is named after a classical albedo feature.[2] It was first spotted in 1930, and officially named in 1976.[2] The name Aganippe is a reference to its location at the base of a volcano.[3] How it came to be is a subject of debate, with the geomorphology indicating it likely developed due to a collapse of lava tubes underneath.[4] Tectonic movement, specifically glaciation, had previously been suggested.[5]: 14
Aganippe Fossa runs from 4.1° to 13° south latitude and 124.9° to 126.9° west longitude.[2] It is one of the many dark slope streaks that are common on Mars. It is located near the base of the volcano Arsia Mons.[6] Images captured in December 2023 show by the European Space Agency show both hummocky and lobate terrain.[3]
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