Perepelkin (Martian crater)

Perepelkin Crater is an impact crater in the Arcadia quadrangle of the planet Mars. It is located at 52.8°N latitude and 64.6°W longitude. It is 77 km in diameter. It was named after Russian astronomer Yevgeny Perepyolkin.[1]

Perepelkin Crater
Topographic image of Perepelkin Crater
PlanetMars
RegionArcadia quadrangle
Coordinates52°48′N 64°36′W / 52.8°N 64.6°W / 52.8; -64.6
QuadrangleArcadia
Diameter77 km
EponymYevgeny Perepyolkin
Map of Perepelkin Crater and other nearby craters

Description

Much of the crater is covered with a mantle that is believed to be ice-rich and to have fallen from the atmosphere when the climate was different. In one of the images below mantle can be seen; also some places when the mantle has disappeared, channels are visible.

Mantle

Researchers have noticed a smooth mantle covering much of Mars.[2] Some parts are eroded revealing rough surfaces while others possess layers. It's generally accepted that mantle is ice-rich dust that fell from the sky as snow and ice-coated dust grains during a different climate [3] One evidence of its ice-rich nature is the presence of gullies which form when some of the ice melts.[4][5][6] Only a few hours of flow can result in erosion .[7] In higher latitudes, such as around Milankovic Crater, the mantle is thicker and may contain rounded shapes called scallops .[8] These are thought to be caused by the sublimation of ice in the mantle. Several models have been advanced to explain them; some include a small amount of melting at times.[9][10][11][12]

See also

References