Aureum Chaos
Encyclopedia
Aureum Chaos is a rough, collapsed region in the Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle
of Mars at
4.4° south latitude and 27° west longitude. It is 368 km across and was named after a classical albedo feature name. The classic name came from one of the first maps of Mars drawn by Schiaparelli
who has been called the "Father of Mars." He called a feature "Aurea Cherso, which translates to the golden peninsula—an ancient name for Malaya. Aureum is the Latin word for gold
. In chemistry, the symbol for gold is Au from gold's Latin name.
In many places, the canyons of Aureum Chaos are about 1 km deep—a little more than half the depth of the Grand Canyon
. But, Aureum Chaos covers an area about the size of the state of Alabama
, almost 20 times larger than the Grand Canyon National Park
.
discovered clay minerals (phyllosilicates) in a variety places in Aureum Chaos. Clay
minerals need water to form, so the area may once have contained large amounts of water. Scientists are interested in determining what parts of Mars contained water because evidence of past or present life may be found there. Aureum Chaos is one more piece of evidence that Mars once had great amounts of water.
Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle
The margaritifer Sinus quadrangle is one of a series of 30 quadrangle maps of Mars used by the United States Geological Survey Astrogeology Research Program. The Margaritifer Sinus quadrangle is also referred to as MC-19 ....
of Mars at
4.4° south latitude and 27° west longitude. It is 368 km across and was named after a classical albedo feature name. The classic name came from one of the first maps of Mars drawn by Schiaparelli
Schiaparelli
Schiaparelli is an Italian surname and may refer to:*Elsa Schiaparelli , Italian clothing designer*Ernesto Schiaparelli , Italian Egyptologist...
who has been called the "Father of Mars." He called a feature "Aurea Cherso, which translates to the golden peninsula—an ancient name for Malaya. Aureum is the Latin word for gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
. In chemistry, the symbol for gold is Au from gold's Latin name.
In many places, the canyons of Aureum Chaos are about 1 km deep—a little more than half the depth of the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
. But, Aureum Chaos covers an area about the size of the state of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, almost 20 times larger than the Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the United States' 15th oldest national park and is located in Arizona. Within the park lies the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, considered to be one of the Wonders of the World. The park covers of unincorporated area in Coconino and Mohave counties.Most...
.
Aureum Chaos
Aureum Chaos is a major canyon system and collapsed area. Large outflow channels on Mars are believed to be caused by catastrophic discharges of ground water. Many of the channels begin in chaotic terrain, where the ground has apparently collapsed. In the collapsed section, blocks of undisturbed material be seen. The OMEGA experiment on Mars ExpressMars Express
Mars Express is a space exploration mission being conducted by the European Space Agency . The Mars Express mission is exploring the planet Mars, and is the first planetary mission attempted by the agency. "Express" originally referred to the speed and efficiency with which the spacecraft was...
discovered clay minerals (phyllosilicates) in a variety places in Aureum Chaos. Clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
minerals need water to form, so the area may once have contained large amounts of water. Scientists are interested in determining what parts of Mars contained water because evidence of past or present life may be found there. Aureum Chaos is one more piece of evidence that Mars once had great amounts of water.