List of geological features on Ganymede

Short description: None

Geological map of Ganymede (February 11, 2014).

This is a list of named geological features, except craters, on Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter. The list is complete as of August 2022.

## Contents

* 1 Catenae (crater chains)
* 2 Faculae
* 3 Fossae (ditches)
* 4 Paterae
* 5 Regiones
* 6 Sulci
* 7 Dropped names
* 8 See also
* 9 References

## Catenae (crater chains)

Catenae on Ganymede are named after deities from Middle Eastern mythology[disambiguation needed].[1]

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Enki Catena |  [ ⚑ ] 38°50′N 13°52′W﻿ / ﻿38.84°N 13.86°W﻿ / 38.84; -13.86 | 160 | 1997 | Enki, Principal water god of the Apsu. | WGPSN
Khnum Catena |  [ ⚑ ] 32°54′N 10°44′W﻿ / ﻿32.90°N 10.73°W﻿ / 32.90; -10.73 | 66 | 1997 | Khnum, Egyptian creation god. | WGPSN
Nanshe Catena |  [ ⚑ ] 15°24′N 352°54′W﻿ / ﻿15.4°N 352.9°W﻿ / 15.4; -352.9 | 103.8 | 1997 | Goddess of springs and canals, daughter of Enki. | WGPSN
Terah Catena |  [ ⚑ ] 7°06′N 277°36′W﻿ / ﻿7.1°N 277.6°W﻿ / 7.1; -277.6 | 283 | 2000 | Phoenician moon god who battled with Keret in Negeb. | WGPSN

## Faculae

Bright patches on Ganymede's surface, called faculae (some of which are palimpsests or ghost craters),[2] are named after important and sacred places from Ancient Egyptian mythology.[1]

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Abydos Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 33°24′N 153°24′W﻿ / ﻿33.4°N 153.4°W﻿ / 33.4; -153.4 | 180 | 1985 | Abydos, Egyptian town where Osiris was worshipped. | WGPSN
Akhmin Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 27°42′N 189°30′W﻿ / ﻿27.7°N 189.5°W﻿ / 27.7; -189.5 | 245 | 1997 | Akhmim, Egyptian town where Min was worshipped. | WGPSN
Bigeh Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 29°00′N 265°42′W﻿ / ﻿29°N 265.7°W﻿ / 29; -265.7 | 224 | 2000 | Bigeh, island where Hapi, Egyptian Nile god, resided. | WGPSN
Busiris Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 15°42′N 215°24′W﻿ / ﻿15.7°N 215.4°W﻿ / 15.7; -215.4 | 369 | 1985 | Busiris, town in lower Egypt where Osiris was first installed as local god. | WGPSN
Buto Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 13°12′N 203°30′W﻿ / ﻿13.2°N 203.5°W﻿ / 13.2; -203.5 | 245 | 1985 | Swamp where Isis hid Osiris' body. | WGPSN
Coptos Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 9°54′N 209°12′W﻿ / ﻿9.9°N 209.2°W﻿ / 9.9; -209.2 | 329 | 1985 | Coptos, early town from which caravans departed. | WGPSN
Edfu Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 25°42′N 147°06′W﻿ / ﻿25.7°N 147.1°W﻿ / 25.7; -147.1 | 184 | 1985 | Edfu, Egyptian town where Horus was worshipped. | WGPSN
Heliopolis Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 18°30′N 147°12′W﻿ / ﻿18.5°N 147.2°W﻿ / 18.5; -147.2 | 50 | 1997 | Heliopolis, sacred Egyptian city of the sun. | WGPSN
Hermopolis Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 22°24′N 195°18′W﻿ / ﻿22.4°N 195.3°W﻿ / 22.4; -195.3 | 260 | 1997 | Hermopolis, place where Unut was worshipped. | WGPSN
Memphis Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 14°06′N 131°54′W﻿ / ﻿14.1°N 131.9°W﻿ / 14.1; -131.9 | 361 | 1985 | Memphis, ancient capital of lower kingdom. | WGPSN
Siwah Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 7°00′N 143°06′W﻿ / ﻿7.0°N 143.1°W﻿ / 7.0; -143.1 | 220 | 1985 | Siwa, oasis oracle of Zeus-Ammon; visited by Alexander. | WGPSN
Tettu Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 37°36′N 161°12′W﻿ / ﻿37.6°N 161.2°W﻿ / 37.6; -161.2 | 189 | 1985 | Egyptian town where Hatmenit and Osiris were worshipped. | WGPSN
Thebes Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 7°06′N 202°24′W﻿ / ﻿7.1°N 202.4°W﻿ / 7.1; -202.4 | 360 | 1985 | Thebes, ancient capital of upper kingdom. | WGPSN

## Fossae (ditches)

Fossae on Ganymede are named after deities and theological principles from Middle Eastern mythologies.[1]

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Lakhamu Fossa |  [ ⚑ ] 11°36′S 227°42′W﻿ / ﻿11.6°S 227.7°W﻿ / -11.6; -227.7 | 370 | 1985 | Dragon monster, or divine natural force produced by Apsu and Tiamat. | WGPSN
Lakhmu Fossae |  [ ⚑ ] 50°24′N 128°00′W﻿ / ﻿50.4°N 128.0°W﻿ / 50.4; -128.0 | 3,700 | 1985 | Lahmu, dragon monster, or divine natural force produced by Apsu and Tiamat. | WGPSN
Zu Fossae |  [ ⚑ ] 38°30′N 150°30′W﻿ / ﻿38.5°N 150.5°W﻿ / 38.5; -150.5 | 2,900 | 1985 | Anzû (Zu), dragon of chaos slain by Marduk. | WGPSN

## Paterae

Isolated, shallow depressions on Ganymede's surface, called paterae, are named after dried-up river valleys (known as wadis) that are found in the Middle East.[1]

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Hammamat Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 24°14′S 318°06′W﻿ / ﻿24.23°S 318.1°W﻿ / -24.23; -318.1 | 45 | 2015 | Wadi Hammamat in Egypt, associated with petroglyphs and ancient mining. | WGPSN
Hamra Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 77°21′S 171°22′W﻿ / ﻿77.35°S 171.37°W﻿ / -77.35; -171.37 | 43 | 2015 | Wadi in Jordan, associated with red sandstone cliffs and ancient copper mines. | WGPSN
Musa Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 31°21′S 188°28′W﻿ / ﻿31.35°S 188.46°W﻿ / -31.35; -188.46 | 69 | 2015 | Wadi Musa in Jordan, proximal to Petra archeological site. | WGPSN
Natrun Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 30°56′S 183°16′W﻿ / ﻿30.93°S 183.26°W﻿ / -30.93; -183.26 | 37.5 | 2015 | Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, site of ancient monasteries, proximal to site of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's aircraft crash that inspired the novella “The Little Prince”. | WGPSN
Rum Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 30°40′S 182°49′W﻿ / ﻿30.66°S 182.82°W﻿ / -30.66; -182.82 | 38 | 2015 | Wadi Rum in Jordan associated with travels of T. E. Lawrence, petroglyphs, and several Neolithic sites. | WGPSN
Yaroun Patera |  [ ⚑ ] 46°39′S 142°09′W﻿ / ﻿46.65°S 142.15°W﻿ / -46.65; -142.15 | 96 | 2015 | Wadi Yaroun in Lebanon, Neolithic archaeological site. | WGPSN

## Regiones

Regiones, which are dark, ancient regions on Ganymede's surface, are named after astronomers who contributed to the discovery of Jupiter's moons.[1]

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Barnard Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 6°48′S 11°36′W﻿ / ﻿6.8°S 11.6°W﻿ / -6.8; -11.6 | 3,200 | 1979 | Edward E.; American astronomer (1857–1923). | WGPSN
Galileo Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 45°N 127°W﻿ / ﻿45°N 127°W﻿ / 45; -127 | 4,440 | 1979 | Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer (1564–1642). | WGPSN
Marius Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 2°30′N 187°42′W﻿ / ﻿2.5°N 187.7°W﻿ / 2.5; -187.7 | 4,940 | 1979 | Simon; German astronomer (1570–1624). | WGPSN
Melotte Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 12°00′S 245°00′W﻿ / ﻿12.0°S 245°W﻿ / -12.0; -245 | 4,100 | 2013 | Philibert Jacques; British astronomer (1880–1961). | WGPSN
Nicholson Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 33°06′S 6°24′W﻿ / ﻿33.1°S 6.4°W﻿ / -33.1; -6.4 | 3,900 | 1979 | Seth Barnes; American astronomer (1891–1963). | WGPSN
Perrine Regio |  [ ⚑ ] 34°N 28°W﻿ / ﻿34°N 28°W﻿ / 34; -28 | 3,800 | 1979 | Charles D.; American astronomer (1867–1951). | WGPSN

## Sulci

Sulci are brighter, younger, and relatively smoother, grooved terrains on Ganymede. They are mostly named after deities, heroes, and important places from Middle Eastern mythologies.[1] Others are named after places and concepts associated with the mythological Trojan prince Ganymede and his home kingdom of Troy from Greek mythology. One is named after a mythological place from Maya mythology.

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Namesake | Refs

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Akitu Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 38°54′N 194°18′W﻿ / ﻿38.9°N 194.3°W﻿ / 38.9; -194.3 | 365 | 1997 | Where Marduk's statue was carried each year. | WGPSN
Anshar Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 18°00′N 197°54′W﻿ / ﻿18.0°N 197.9°W﻿ / 18.0; -197.9 | 1,372 | 1979 | Assyro-Babylonian; celestial-world home of Lakhmu and Lakhamu. | WGPSN
Apsu Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 39°24′S 234°42′W﻿ / ﻿39.4°S 234.7°W﻿ / -39.4; -234.7 | 1,950 | 1979 | Sumero-Akkadian; primordial ocean. | WGPSN
Aquarius Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 52°24′N 3°54′W﻿ / ﻿52.4°N 3.9°W﻿ / 52.4; -3.9 | 1,420 | 1979 | Greek; Zeus set Ganymede among the stars as the constellation of Aquarius, the water carrier. | WGPSN
Arbela Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 21°06′S 349°48′W﻿ / ﻿21.1°S 349.8°W﻿ / -21.1; -349.8 | 1,940 | 1985 | Assyrian town where Ishtar was worshipped. | WGPSN
Babylon Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 22°30′S 264°30′W﻿ / ﻿22.5°S 264.5°W﻿ / -22.5; -264.5 | 3,100 | July 29, 2013 | Assyro-Babylonian town in the land known as Akkad. | WGPSN
Borsippa Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 60°00′S 359°54′W﻿ / ﻿60.0°S 359.9°W﻿ / -60.0; -359.9 | 3,300 | July 29, 2013 | Akkadian town, location of the Sumerian god Nabu's principal sanctuary | WGPSN
Bubastis Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 72°18′S 282°54′W﻿ / ﻿72.3°S 282.9°W﻿ / -72.3; -282.9 | 2,651 | 1988 | Town in Egypt where Bast was worshipped. | WGPSN
Byblus Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 37°54′N 199°54′W﻿ / ﻿37.9°N 199.9°W﻿ / 37.9; -199.9 | 645 | 1997 | Ancient Phoenician city where Adonis was worshipped. | WGPSN
Dardanus Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 46°54′S 17°30′W﻿ / ﻿46.9°S 17.5°W﻿ / -46.9; -17.5 | 2,988 | 1979 | Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by Zeus disguised as an eagle. | WGPSN
Dukug Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 83°30′N 3°48′W﻿ / ﻿83.5°N 3.8°W﻿ / 83.5; -3.8 | 385 | 1985 | Sumerian holy cosmic chamber of the gods. | WGPSN
Elam Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 58°12′N 200°18′W﻿ / ﻿58.2°N 200.3°W﻿ / 58.2; -200.3 | 1,855 | 1985 | Ancient Babylonian seat of sun worship, in present-day Iran. | WGPSN
Erech Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 7°18′S 179°12′W﻿ / ﻿7.3°S 179.2°W﻿ / -7.3; -179.2 | 953 | 1985 | Akkadian town that was built by Marduk. | WGPSN
Harpagia Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 11°42′S 318°42′W﻿ / ﻿11.7°S 318.7°W﻿ / -11.7; -318.7 | 1,792 | 1985 | Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by an eagle. | WGPSN
Hursag Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 9°42′S 233°06′W﻿ / ﻿9.7°S 233.1°W﻿ / -9.7; -233.1 | 750 | 1985 | Sumerian mountain where winds dwell. | WGPSN
Kishar Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 6°24′S 216°36′W﻿ / ﻿6.4°S 216.6°W﻿ / -6.4; -216.6 | 1,187 | 1979 | Assyro-Babylonian; terrestrial-world home of Lakhmu and Lakhamu. | WGPSN
Lagash Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 10°54′S 163°12′W﻿ / ﻿10.9°S 163.2°W﻿ / -10.9; -163.2 | 1,575 | 1985 | Early Babylonian town. | WGPSN
Larsa Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 3°48′N 248°42′W﻿ / ﻿3.8°N 248.7°W﻿ / 3.8; -248.7 | 1,000 | 2000 | Sumerian town. | WGPSN
Mashu Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 29°48′N 205°42′W﻿ / ﻿29.8°N 205.7°W﻿ / 29.8; -205.7 | 2,960 | 1979 | Assyro-Babylonian; mountain with twin peaks where sun rose and set. | WGPSN
Mummu Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 39°00′S 180°00′W﻿ / ﻿39.0°S 180.0°W﻿ / -39.0; -180.0 | 2,680 | July 29, 2013 | Assyro-Babylonian; the tumult of the waves at the place where the waters of primordial freshwater ocean Apsu and salt sea Tiamat are mingled. | WGPSN
Mysia Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 7°00′S 7°54′W﻿ / ﻿7.0°S 7.9°W﻿ / -7.0; -7.9 | 5,066 | 1979 | Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by an eagle. | WGPSN
Nineveh Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 23°30′N 53°06′W﻿ / ﻿23.5°N 53.1°W﻿ / 23.5; -53.1 | 1,700 | 1997 | City where Ishtar was worshipped. | WGPSN
Nippur Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 36°54′N 185°00′W﻿ / ﻿36.9°N 185.0°W﻿ / 36.9; -185.0 | 1,425 | 1985 | Sumerian city. | WGPSN
Nun Sulci |  [ ⚑ ] 49°30′N 316°24′W﻿ / ﻿49.5°N 316.4°W﻿ / 49.5; -316.4 | 1,500 | 1979 | Egyptian; chaos; primordial ocean; held germ of all things. | WGPSN
Philae Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 65°30′N 169°00′W﻿ / ﻿65.5°N 169.0°W﻿ / 65.5; -169.0 | 900 | 1997 | Temple that was the chief sanctuary of Isis. | WGPSN
Philus Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 44°06′N 209°30′W﻿ / ﻿44.1°N 209.5°W﻿ / 44.1; -209.5 | 465 | 1979 | Greek; where Ganymede and Hebe were worshipped as rain-givers. | WGPSN
Phrygia Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 12°24′N 23°30′W﻿ / ﻿12.4°N 23.5°W﻿ / 12.4; -23.5 | 3,700 | 1979 | Greek; kingdom in Asia Minor where Ganymede was born. | WGPSN
Shuruppak Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 19°18′S 232°12′W﻿ / ﻿19.3°S 232.2°W﻿ / -19.3; -232.2 | 2,800 | 2000 | Assyro-Babylonian town on the banks of the Euphrates River where the gods planned the great flood. | WGPSN
Sicyon Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 32°42′N 18°30′W﻿ / ﻿32.7°N 18.5°W﻿ / 32.7; -18.5 | 2,125 | 1979 | Greek; where Ganymede and Hebe were worshipped as rain-givers. | WGPSN
Sippar Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 15°24′S 189°18′W﻿ / ﻿15.4°S 189.3°W﻿ / -15.4; -189.3 | 1,508 | 1985 | Ancient Babylonian town. | WGPSN
Tiamat Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 3°24′N 208°30′W﻿ / ﻿3.4°N 208.5°W﻿ / 3.4; -208.5 | 1,330 | 1979 | Assyro-Babylonian; tumultuous sea from which everything was generated. | WGPSN
Umma Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 4°06′N 250°00′W﻿ / ﻿4.1°N 250.0°W﻿ / 4.1; -250.0 | 1,270 | 2000 | Sumerian town. | WGPSN
Ur Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 49°48′N 177°30′W﻿ / ﻿49.8°N 177.5°W﻿ / 49.8; -177.5 | 1,145 | 1985 | Ancient Sumerian seat of moon worship. | WGPSN
Uruk Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 0°48′N 160°18′W﻿ / ﻿0.8°N 160.3°W﻿ / 0.8; -160.3 | 2,200 | 1979 | Babylonian city ruled by Gilgamesh. | WGPSN
Xibalba Sulcus |  [ ⚑ ] 43°48′N 71°06′W﻿ / ﻿43.8°N 71.1°W﻿ / 43.8; -71.1 | 2,200 | 1997 | Mayan "place of fright"; destination of those who escaped violent death. | WGPSN

## Dropped names

Name | Coordinates | Diameter (km) | Approval Date | Notes | Refs

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Sais Facula |  [ ⚑ ] 37°54′N 14°12′W﻿ / ﻿37.90°N 14.20°W﻿ / 37.90; -14.20﻿ (Sais Facula) | 137.0 | 1988 | Dropped and Disallowed. Sais, worship center of Neith, Egyptian goddess of creation, archery, fate, and weaving. Sais Facula was later identified as a crater chain (catena), not a facula. It is now called Enki Catena. | WGPSN

## See also

* List of quadrangles on Ganymede
* List of craters on Ganymede

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Categories (Themes) for Naming Features on Planets and Satellites". USGS. 2025. https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories#ganymede.
2. ↑ "Palimpsests on Ganymede: an endogenic origin?". Lunar and Planetary Institute. 1999. https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc1994/pdf/1149.pdf.

* List of named surface features on Ganymede

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Ganymede

Geology|

| Lists|

* List of geological features on Ganymede
* List of quadrangles on Ganymede
* List of craters on Ganymede

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Impact craters|

* Achelous
* El
* Gula
* Khensu
* Kittu
* Neith
* Nergal

Regions|

* Galileo Regio

Sulci|

* Uruk Sulcus

Faculae|

* Memphis Facula

Catenae|

* Enki Catena

Exploration|

| Past|

* Pioneer 10
* Pioneer 11
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* New Horizons

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Planned|

* Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (2022)

Proposed|

* Laplace-P

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Mars|

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