Zunil (crater)

Short description: Crater on Mars

Zunil

Planet| Mars
Region| Athabasca Valles
Coordinates|  [ ⚑ ] : 7°48′N 193°54′W﻿ / ﻿7.8°N 193.9°W﻿ / 7.8; -193.9
Diameter| 10.26 km (6.38 mi)

Zunil is an impact crater near the Cerberus Fossae on Mars, with a diameter of 10.26 kilometres (6.38 miles). It is named after the town of Zunil in Guatemala.[1] The crater is located in the Elysium quadrangle. Visible in images from the Viking 1 and Viking 2 Mars orbiters in the 1970s, Zunil was subsequently imaged at higher resolution for the first time by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) in 2000.[2]

A ray system associated with the Zunil impact, visible in infrared images from the Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Spectrometer (THEMIS) was later detailed by McEwen et al. (2003); before this, large craters with ray systems had not been seen on Mars.[3]

The debris from a recent landslide was first spotted on the south-east wall of the crater by the Mars Global Surveyor Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) in 2003,[4] and was subsequently imaged at higher resolution by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) in December 2006.[5]

## Contents

* 1 Formation
* 2 See also
* 3 References
* 4 External links

## Formation

The impact which formed Zunil occurred no more than a few million years ago and hence the crater is in a relatively pristine form. It was probably not produced in a high-velocity impact, such as from a comet. If the interpretation that Zunil is the source of the basaltic shergottite meteorites is correct, then the crater formed in basalt deposited 165–177 million years ago.[6]

Zunil Crater as seen by MRO's CTX camera

The impact created a ray system, visible in the infrared, that extends up to 1,600 km (990 mi) from the crater and produced hundreds of millions of secondary craters with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 m (33 to 328 ft). Very few of these secondary craters lie within 80 km (50 mi) of Zunil. Around 80% of the craters in Athabasca Valles are Zunil secondaries. If similar impacts also produced comparable amounts of secondaries, this calls into question the accuracy of crater counting as a dating technique for geologically young Martian surface features.[6][7]

A simulation of the Zunil impact ejected on the order of ten billion rock fragments greater than 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in diameter, the total ejecta comprising 30 km3 (7.2 cu mi). These formed about a billion secondary craters 10 m in size up to 3,500 km (2,200 mi) away from the primary impact. It is possible that some of these fragments from the impact made it to Earth to become shergottites, a form of Martian meteorite.[6]

Research published in the journal Icarus has found pits in Zunil Crater that are caused by hot ejecta falling on ground containing ice. The pits are formed by heat forming steam that rushes out from groups of pits simultaneously, thereby blowing away from the pit ejecta.[8]

## See also

A landslide in the Martian crater Zunil.

* List of craters on Mars
* List of craters with ray systems

## References

1. ↑ "Zunil (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
2. ↑ "MOC narrow-angle image M21-00859—Crater traverse at 7.8 N 193.8 W". Malin Space Science Systems. http://www.msss.com/moc_gallery/m19_m23/images/M21/M2100859.html.
3. ↑ McEwen (2003). "Discovery of a large rayed crater on Mars: Implications for recent volcanic and fluvial activity and the origin of Martian meteorites". Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2003/pdf/2040.pdf.
4. ↑ "MOC narrow-angle image R08-02140—Zunil Crater and its ejecta". Malin Space Science Systems. http://www.msss.com/moc_gallery/r03_r09/images/R08/R0802140.html.
5. ↑ "Recent Landslide in Zunil Crater (PSP_001764_1880)". University of Arizona. http://hirise.lpl.arizona.edu/PSP_001764_1880.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 McEwen, A. S. (2005). "The rayed crater Zunil and interpretations of small impact craters on Mars". Icarus 176 (2): 351–381. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2005.02.009. Bibcode: 2005Icar..176..351M. http://www.mars.asu.edu/christensen/classdocs/mcewen_zunil_Icarus_2005.pdf. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
7. ↑ Kerr, R (2006). "Who can Read the Martian Clock?". Science 312 (5777): 1132–1133. doi:10.1126/science.312.5777.1132. PMID 16728612.
8. ↑ Tornabene, L. et al. 2012. "Widespread crater-related pitted materials on Mars. Further evidence for the role of target volatiles during the impact process". Icarus. 220: 348-368.

## External links

* Themis page about Zunil
* Rayed craters on Mars

* v
* t
* e

Geography and geology of Mars

Cartography

| Regions|

* Abalos Undae
* Aspledon Undae
* Arabia Terra
* Cerberus
* Cydonia
* Eridania Lake
* Hyperboreae Undae
* Ogygis Undae
* Olympia Undae
* Planum Australe
* Planum Boreum
* Quadrangles
* Sinus Meridiani
* Siton Undae
* Tempe Terra
* Terra Cimmeria
* Terra Sabaea
* Tharsis
* Vastitas Borealis

|

Quadrangles|

* Aeolis
* Amazonis
* Amenthes
* Arabia
* Arcadia
* Argyre
* Casius
* Cebrenia
* Coprates
* Diacria
* Elysium
* Eridania
* Hellas
* Iapygia
* Ismenius Lacus
* Lunae Palus
* Mare Acidalium
* Mare Australe (South Pole)
* Mare Boreum (North Pole)
* Mare Tyrrhenum
* Margaritifer Sinus
* Memnonia
* Noachis
* Oxia Palus
* Phaethontis
* Phoenicis Lacus
* Sinus Sabaeus
* Syrtis Major
* Tharsis
* Thaumasia

Geology

| Surface features|

* Brain terrain
* Carbonates
* Chaos terrain
* Color
* Composition
* Concentric crater fill
* Dark slope streak
* Dichotomy
* Dune fields
* Hagal
* Nili Patera
* Fretted terrain
* Geysers
* Glaciers
* Groundwater
* Gullies
* Inverted relief
* Lakes
* Lava tubes
* Lineated valley fill (LVF)
* Lobate debris apron
* North Polar Basin
* Ocean hypothesis
* Ore resources
* Outflow channels
* Polar caps
* Ring mold craters
* Rootless cones
* Scalloped topography
* Seasonal flows
* Soil
* Spherules
* Surface
* Swiss cheese features
* Terrain softening
* Tholus
* Upper plains unit
* Valley networks
* Water
* Yardangs

|

History|

* Amazonian
* Hesperian
* Noachian
* Volcanology
* Observation history
* Canals (list)
* Classical albedo features

Rocks observed|

* Curiosity rover
* Bathurst Inlet
* Coronation
* Goulburn
* Hottah
* Jake Matijevic
* Link
* Rocknest
* Rocknest 3
* Tintina
* Opportunity rover
* Bounce
* El Capitan
* Last Chance
* Sojourner rover
* Barnacle Bill
* Yogi
* Spirit rover
* Adirondack
* Home Plate
* Mimi
* Pot of Gold
* Viking
* Big Joe
* Other
* Face
* Monolith

* Meteorites found on Mars
* Block Island
* Heat Shield
* Mackinac Island
* Meridiani Planum
* Oileán Ruaidh
* Shelter Island

* Martian meteorites found on Earth
* Balsaltic Breccia
* Chassignites
* Nakhlites
* Shergottites
* Other
* List

Topography

| Mountains and
volcanoes

(list by height)

* Acidalia Colles
* Alba Mons
* Anseris Mons
* Apollinaris Mons
* Ariadnes Colles
* Astapus Colles
* Ausonia Montes
* Avernus Colles
* Biblis Tholus
* Centauri Montes
* Charitum Montes
* Echus Montes
* Elysium
* Elysium Mons
* Albor Tholus
* Hecates Tholus
* Erebus Montes
* Galaxius Mons
* Hadriacus Mons
* Hellas Montes
* Jovis Tholus
* Libya Montes
* Mount Sharp
* Nereidum Montes
* Olympus Mons
* Phlegra Montes
* Syrtis Major Planum
* Tartarus Colles
* Tartarus Montes
* Tharsis Montes
* Ascraeus
* Pavonis
* Arsia
* Tharsis Tholus
* Tyrrhenus Mons
* Ulysses Tholus
* Uranius group
* Uranius Mons
* Ceraunius Tholus
* Uranius Tholus

|

Plains and
plateaus|

* Acidalia Planitia
* Aeolis Palus
* Amazonis Planitia
* Arcadia Planitia
* Argyre Planitia
* Chryse Planitia
* Daedalia Planum
* Elysium Planitia
* Eridania Planitia
* Hellas Planitia
* Hesperia Planum
* Icaria Planum
* Isidis Planitia
* Lunae Planum
* Meridiani Planum
* Oxia Planum
* Planum Australe
* Planum Boreum
* Syria Planum
* Syrtis Major Planum
* Utopia Planitia
* Eden Patera
* Orcus Patera
* Peneus Patera
* Pityusa Patera

Canyons and
valleys|

* Aram Chaos
* Arsia Chasmata
* Aromatum Chaos
* Atlantis Chaos
* Aureum Chaos
* Candor Chasma
* Chasma Boreale
* Coprates Chasma
* Echus Chasma
* Eos Chaos
* Eos Chasma
* Galaxias Chaos
* Ganges Chasma
* Gorgonum Chaos
* Hebes Chasma
* Hydaspis Chaos
* Hydraotes Chaos
* Iani Chaos
* Ister Chaos
* Ius Chasma
* Juventae Chasma
* Melas Chasma
* Ophir Chasma
* Tithonium Chasma

* List of valles
* Apsus
* Ares
* Arnus
* Asopus
* Athabasca
* Auqakuh
* Bahram
* Buvinda
* Dao
* Enipeus
* Frento
* Granicus
* Green Valley
* Harmakhis
* Hebrus
* Her Desher
* Hrad
* Huo Hsing
* Hypanis
* Iberus
* Indus
* Ituxi
* Kasei
* Labou
* Ladon
* Lethe
* Licus
* Louros
* Ma'adam
* Mad
* Maja
* Mamers
* Mangala
* Marineris
* Labes
* Marte
* Maumee
* Mawrth
* Minio
* Naktong
* Nanedi
* Niger
* Nirgal
* Padus
* Paraná
* Patapsco
* Peace
* Rahway
* Ravi
* Reull
* Sabis
* Sabrina
* Samara
* Scamander
* Shalbatana
* Simud
* Stura
* Tader
* Tinia
* Tinjar
* Tiu
* Tyras
* Uzboi
* ULM
* Vedra
* Verde
* Warrego

Fossae, mensae
rupes and labyrinthi|

* Amenthes Fossae
* Ceraunius Fossae
* Cerberus Fossae
* Coloe Fossae
* Cyane Fossae
* Elysium Fossae
* Hephaestus Fossae
* Icaria Fossae
* Labeatis Fossae
* Mangala Fossa
* Mareotis Fossae
* Medusae Fossae
* Memnonia Fossae
* Nili Fossae
* Olympica Fossae
* Oti Fossae
* Sirenum Fossae
* Tantalus Fossae
* Tempe Fossae
* Tithonium Fossae
* Tractus Fossae
* Ulysses Fossae
* Aeolis Mensae
* Ausonia Mensa
* Capri Mensa
* Cydonia Mensae
* Deuteronilus Mensae
* Ganges Mensa
* Nilosyrtis Mensae
* Protonilus Mensae
* Sacra Mensa
* Claritas Rupes
* Olympus Rupes
* Rupes Tenuis
* Angustus Labyrinthus
* Noctis Labyrinthus

Catenae and
craters|

* Artynia Catena
* Tithoniae Catenae
* Tractus Catena
* Adams
* Agassiz
* Airy
* Airy-0
* Aniak
* Antoniadi
* Arandas
* Argo
* Arkhangelsky
* Arrhenius
* Asimov
* Bacolor
* Bakhuysen
* Baldet
* Baltisk
* Bamberg
* Barabashov
* Barnard
* Beagle
* Becquerel
* Beer
* Belz
* Bernard
* Bianchini
* Boeddicker
* Bok
* Bond
* Bonestell
* Bonneville
* Brashear
* Briault
* Burroughs
* Burton
* Campbell
* Canso
* Cassini
* Caxias
* Cerulli
* Chafe
* Chapais
* Chincoteague
* Chryse Alien
* Clark
* Coblentz
* Columbus
* Copernicus
* Corby
* Crewe
* Crivitz
* Crommelin
* Cruls
* Curie
* Da Vinci
* Danielson
* Darwin
* Davies
* Dawes
* Dejnev
* Denning
* Dilly
* Dinorwic
* Douglass
* Dromore
* Du Martheray
* Eagle
* Eberswalde
* Eddie
* Ejriksson
* Emma Dean
* Endeavour
* Matijevic Hill
* Endurance
* Erebus
* Escalante
* Eudoxus
* Fenagh
* Fesenkov
* Firsoff
* Flammarion
* Flaugergues
* Focas
* Fontana
* Fournier
* Fram
* Galdakao
* Gale
* Galle
* Garni
* Gasa
* Gilbert
* Gill
* Gledhill
* Gold
* Graff
* Green
* Grindavik
* Gusev
* Apollo 1 Hills
* Chaffee
* Grissom
* White
* Columbia Hills
* Husband
* McCool
* Sleepy Hollow
* Hadley
* Haldane
* Hale
* Halley
* Hartwig
* Heaviside
* Heimdal
* Heinlein
* Helmholtz
* Henry
* Herschel
* Hipparchus
* Holden
* Holmes
* Hooke
* Huggins
* Hussey
* Hutton
* Huxley
* Huygens
* Iazu
* Ibragimov
* Inuvik
* Janssen
* Jarry-Desloges
* Jeans
* Jezero
* Jezža
* Joly
* Jones
* Kaiser
* Keeler
* Kepler
* Kinkora
* Kipini
* Knobel
* Koga
* Korolev
* Kufra
* Kuiper
* Kunowsky
* Lambert
* Lamont
* Lampland
* Lassell
* Lau
* Le Verrier
* Li Fan
* Liais
* Lipik
* Liu Hsin
* Llanesco
* Lockyer
* Lod
* Lohse
* Lomonosov
* Lowell
* Lyell
* Lyot
* Mädler
* Magelhaens
* Maggini
* Main
* Mandora
* Maraldi
* Mariner
* Marth
* Martz
* Masursky
* Maunder
* McLaughlin
* McMurdo
* Mellish
* Mendel
* Mie
* Milankovic
* Millochau
* Mitchel
* Miyamoto
* Mohawk
* Mojave
* Molesworth
* Montevallo
* Moreux
* Müller
* Nansen
* Nereus
* Newton
* Nhill
* Nicholson
* Niesten
* Nipigon
* Onon
* Orson Welles
* Oudemans
* Palana
* Pangboche
* Pasteur
* Penticton
* Perepelkin
* Peridier
* Persbo
* Pettit
* Phillips
* Pickering
* Playfair
* Pollack
* Poona
* Porter
* Porth
* Priestley
* Proctor
* Ptolemaeus
* Puńsk
* Quenisset
* Rabe
* Radau
* Rahe
* Rayleigh
* Redi
* Renaudot
* Reuyl
* Reynolds
* Richardson
* Ritchey
* Robert Sharp
* Roddenberry
* Ross
* Rossby
* Rudaux
* Russell
* Rutherford
* Sagan
* Saheki
* Santa Maria
* Schaeberle
* Schiaparelli
* Schmidt
* Secchi
* Semeykin
* Sharonov
* Sibu
* Sinton
* Sitka
* Sklodowska
* Slipher
* Smith
* South
* Spallanzani
* Srīpur
* Steno
* Stokes
* Stoney
* Suess
* Suzhi
* Tarsus
* Taytay
* Teisserenc de Bort
* Terby
* Thila
* Thira
* Tikhonravov
* Tikhov
* Timbuktu
* Tombaugh
* Tooting
* Trouvelot
* Troy
* Trud
* Trumpler
* Tugaske
* Tycho Brahe
* Tyndall
* Udzha
* Vernal
* Very
* Victoria
* Cape Verde
* Vinogradov
* Vinogradsky
* Virrat
* Vishniac
* Vogel
* Von Kármán
* Wallace
* Wegener
* Weinbaum
* Wells
* Williams
* Winslow
* Wirtz
* Wislicenus
* Wright
* Yuty
* Zumba
* Zunil

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