Fluvial drainage basins, outflow channels, and valley networks: Margaritifer Sinus, Mars
The fluvial drainage basins of the Margaritifer Sinus Quadrangle (MC-19) are dominated by Capri and Eos Chasma and associated chaos on the northwest, by Ladon Basin in the center, and by Noachis Basin to the southeast. Laadon and Noachis are ancient, multi-ringed impact structures. The Uzboi/Ladon outflow channels are the principal drainage into Ladon Basin contributing to a major sediment sink on the central Basin plain (18 0 S,29 0 W). Osuga Valles outflow system (16S,39W), and some valley networks, have been beheaded by the formation of Eos Chasma. Flow out of Ladon Basin to the northeast is obscured by Margaritifer Chaos collapse. Two major longitudinal valley networks, Samara/Himera to the west and Parana/Loire to the east, dominate the drainage of eastern Margaritifer Sinus. These networks, through-going to the northwest, cross the outer ring hills of Ladon to debouch into etched terrain near Margaritifer Chaos. The Parana multi-digitate network flows into a small impact basin with a sediment sink characterized by positive relief chaos (22S,12W). Loire Valles heads in this basin; thus the authors treat Parana/Loire as a single system. Mapping with stereo pairs has allowed not only the delineation of major drainage basins, but also the identification of sub-basins, areas of internal drainage between larger basins, and determination of drainage-basin area. This mapping demonstrates that an integrated series of drainage systems with a complex fluvial history encompasses a large part of Margaritifer Sinus
Article, 1985