 Auqakuh Vallis. At one time a dark layer covered the whole area, now only a few pieces remain asbuttes. | |
| Coordinates | 30°24′N299°54′W / 30.4°N 299.9°W /30.4; -299.9 |
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Auqakuh Vallis is an ancient river valley in theSyrtis Major quadrangle onMars, located at 30.4° north latitude and 299.9° west longitude. It is 312 km long, and is named for the word for 'Mars' inQuechua (Inca).[1]
Many places on Mars have buttes that are similar to buttes onEarth, such as the famous ones inMonument Valley,Utah. Buttes are formed when most of a layer(s) of rocks are removed from an area. Buttes usually have a hard, erosion-resistant cap rock on the top. The cap rock causes the top of a butte to be flat. An example of a butte in theSyrtis Major quadrangle is shown in a picture on this page.
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