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Geology of Mars

Generalised geological map of Mars[1]
Mars as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope

The geology of Mars is the scientific study of the surface, crust, and interior of the planet Mars. It emphasizes the composition, structure, history, and physical processes that shape the planet. It is analogous to the field of terrestrial geology. In planetary science, the term geology is used in its broadest sense to mean the study of the solid parts of planets and moons. The term incorporates aspects of geophysics, geochemistry, mineralogy, geodesy, and cartography.[2] A neologism, areology, from the Greek word Arēs (Mars), sometimes appears as a synonym for Mars's geology in the popular media and works of science fiction (e.g. Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy).[3] The term areology is also used by the Areological Society.[4]

  1. ^ P. Zasada (2013) Generalised Geological Map of Mars, 1:140.000.000, Source Link.
  2. ^ Greeley, Ronald (1993). Planetary landscapes (2nd ed.). New York: Chapman & Hall. p. 1. ISBN 0-412-05181-8.
  3. ^ "World Wide Words: Areologist". World Wide Words. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  4. ^ "The Areological Society". The Areological Society. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2021-11-07.

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