Back

Mars Express Image Highlights Ancient Terrain in Arabia Terra

lite News Desk 2 min read

At a glance

  • ESA released a new image of Mars’s Arabia Terra on March 6, 2026
  • The photo was taken by Mars Express orbiter in October 2024
  • Arabia Terra is among the oldest regions on Mars, dating back 3.7–4.1 billion years

The European Space Agency published a new image of Mars’s Arabia Terra region, providing updated views of one of the planet’s oldest and most cratered landscapes.

The image, released on March 6, 2026, was captured by the Mars Express orbiter during its 26,233rd orbit around Mars on October 12, 2024. This region, located in the northern hemisphere, is recognized for its dense concentration of impact craters and ancient geological features.

Prominently displayed in the image is Trouvelot Crater, which measures about 130 kilometers across. The crater’s rim appears softened, and its interior is partially filled, indicating a long history of geological processes.

Adjacent to Trouvelot Crater lies an older, more eroded basin. The rim of this basin is nearly worn away, and Trouvelot overlaps part of its structure. The floor of the older basin contains mafic volcanic rocks that are rich in minerals such as magnesium, iron, pyroxene, and olivine.

What the numbers show

  • The Mars Express orbiter captured the image on its 26,233rd orbit
  • Arabia Terra spans up to 4,500 kilometers across Mars’s northern hemisphere
  • The terrain in this region is estimated to be 3.7 to 4.1 billion years old

The image also reveals additional geological features, including dark volcanic deposits and crescent-shaped barchan dunes, which indicate prevailing wind directions in the region. A light-toned mound, approximately 20 kilometers in length, is visible and may contain minerals that have been altered by water.

Arabia Terra is considered one of the oldest upland regions on Mars. Its surface preserves a dense record of impact craters and volcanic activity, offering insights into the planet’s early history.

The Mars Express mission has been mapping the Martian surface since 2003 using the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The newly released image demonstrates the ongoing value of reprocessing archived data from long-term planetary missions.

By analyzing features such as craters, volcanic rocks, and mineral deposits, scientists continue to build a clearer understanding of Mars’s geological evolution. The data from Arabia Terra contributes to broader studies of planetary surfaces and ancient environments within the solar system.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

Sources and further reading

Note: This section is not provided in the feeds.

Related Articles

  1. Discrepancies in Hubble constant measurements show local values at 73 km/s/Mpc and early-universe estimates at 67 km/s/Mpc, according to reports.

  2. A statement outlines initiatives addressing nuclear and space security, according to reports. The conference highlighted key global security concerns.

  3. Global leaders at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi called for enhanced research and regulation. The U.S. opposed global governance, reports say.

  4. Simulations indicate Saturn's rings formed from debris of the moon Chrysalis, which disintegrated 100-200 million years ago, according to researchers.

  5. Nearly 60% of people believe in soulmates, a concept rooted in ancient philosophy, shaping modern relationship dynamics, according to reports.

More on Science

  1. A meta-analysis published in Nature reveals global coastal sea levels were underestimated by up to 7.6 meters, affecting millions at risk.

  2. The physicist passed away on October 27, 1968, in Cambridge, England, after contributing to nuclear fission theory, according to reports.

  3. Researchers developed phantom codes to improve quantum error correction. This method achieved over 100,000 instances with reduced logical infidelity.

  4. Microplastics have been found in human tissues, including the brain and heart, according to published studies. Further research is ongoing.

  5. A study analyzed seven generations of birth records, showing a 2:1 male-to-female ratio. Findings suggest Y chromosome influence, according to researchers.