Mars Landmark definitions

 

Mars landmarks have unique names to avoid implying more than is known. For example, some stream like patterns may be lava flows rather than channels carved by water flow.  Most information about Mars is based on satellite data rather than data obtained from rovers, so it is harder to verify the cause that created Mars features.

 

Reassigning feature/landmark types and names  have occurred over time as imaging and data accumulates. 

Below are listed two sources of name descriptors. Note the descriptions vary slighly.

 

The first one called "Martian Landmark Types" is from Arizona State University. (Scroll down page.) The description seem to include more information, such as with the term crater and refer specifically to Mars.  

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The second Chart, called "Descriptor Terms (Feature Types)  and includes terms applying to other planetary features.    

https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/DescriptorTerms 

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Feature (Designation)    Description
Albedo Feature AL    Geographic area distinguished by amount of reflected light
Arcus, arcūs AR    Arc-shaped feature
Astrum, astra AS    Radial-patterned features on Venus
Catena, catenae CA    Chain of craters
Cavus, cavi CB    Hollows, irregular steep-sided depressions usually in arrays or clusters
Chaos, chaoses CH    Distinctive area of broken terrain
Chasma, chasmata CM    A deep, elongated, steep-sided depression
Collis, colles CO    Small hills or knobs
Corona, coronae CR    Ovoid-shaped feature
Crater, craters AA    A circular depression
Dorsum, dorsa DO    Ridge
Eruptive center ER    Active volcanic centers on Io
Facula, faculae FA    Bright spot
Farrum, farra FR    Pancake-like structure, or a row of such structures
Flexus, flexūs FE    A very low curvilinear ridge with a scalloped pattern
Fluctus, fluctūs FL    Flow terrain
Flumen, flumina FM    Channel on Titan that might carry liquid
Fossa, fossae FO    Long, narrow depression
Fretum, freta FT    Strait, a narrow passage of liquid connecting two larger areas of liquid
Insula, insulae IN    Island (islands), an isolated land area (or group of such areas)        surrounded by, or nearly surrounded by, a liquid area (sea or lake)
Labes, labēs LA    Landslide
Labyrinthus, labyrinthi LB    Complex of intersecting valleys or ridges.
Lacuna, lacunae LU    Irregularly shaped depression on Titan having the appearance of a       dry lake bed
Lacus, lacūs LC    "Lake" or small plain; on Titan, a "lake" or small, dark plain with discrete,   sharp boundaries
Landing site name LF    Lunar features at or near Apollo landing sites
Large ringed feature LG    Cryptic ringed features
Linea, lineae LI    A dark or bright elongate marking, may be curved or straight
Lingula, lingulae LN    Extension of plateau having rounded lobate or tongue-like   boundaries
Macula, maculae MA    Dark spot, may be irregular
Mare, maria ME    “Sea”; on the Moon, low albedo, relatively smooth plain, generally of   large extent; on Mars, dark albedo areas of no known geological significance; on Titan,   large expanses of dark materials thought to be liquid hydrocarbons
Mensa, mensae MN    A flat-topped prominence with cliff-like edges
Mons, montes MO    Mountain
Oceanus, oceani OC    A very large dark area on the moon
Palus, paludes PA    "Swamp"; small plain
Patera, paterae PE    An irregular crater, or a complex one with scalloped edges
Planitia, planitiae PL    Low plain
Planum, plana PM    Plateau or high plain
Plume, plumes PU    Cryo-volcanic features on Triton
Promontorium, promontoria PR    "Cape"; headland promontoria
Regio, regiones RE    A large area marked by reflectivity or color distinctions from   adjacent areas, or a broad geographic region
Reticulum, reticula RT    reticular (netlike) pattern on Venus
Rima, rimae RI    Fissure
Rupes, rupēs RU    Scarp
Satellite Feature SF    A feature that shares the name of an associated feature. For   example, on the Moon the craters referred to as "Lettered Craters" are classified in the   gazetteer as "Satellite Features."
Saxum, saxa SA    Boulder or rock
Scopulus, scopuli SC    Lobate or irregular scarp
Serpens, serpentes SE    Sinuous feature with segments of positive and negative relief   along its length
Sinus, sinūs SI    "Bay"; small plain; on Titan, bays within seas or lakes of liquid   hydrocarbons
Sulcus, sulci SU    Subparallel furrows and ridges
Terra, terrae TA    Extensive land mass
Tessera, tesserae TE    Tile-like, polygonal terrain
Tholus, tholi TH    Small domical mountain or hill
Unda, undae UN    Dunes
Vallis, valles VA    Valley
Vastitas, vastitates VS    Extensive plain
Virga, virgae VI    A streak or stripe of color

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