Hellas Planitia
Hellas Planitia is a giant impact basin about 2,300 km across and over 7 km deep, the lowest place on Mars. Explore it in 3D at real scale.
- Location
- southern hemisphere, around 42° S, 70° E
- Size
- about 2,300 km across
- Depth
- over 7 km below the surrounding highlands
- Fact
- the air pressure at the bottom is the highest on Mars
Hellas Planitia is one of the largest impact craters in the Solar System. Something huge hit Mars here around four billion years ago and left a basin about 2,300 km across. Its floor is the lowest region on the planet, more than 7 km below the surrounding southern highlands.
Because it is so deep, there is more atmosphere above the floor of Hellas than anywhere else on Mars. The pressure there is high enough that, at the right temperature, liquid water could briefly exist on the surface before boiling or freezing.
What to look for
- The rim mountains. The southern highlands around the basin are rugged and heavily cratered.
- Frost and clouds. In winter, the basin often fills with frost and haze that can be seen from orbit.
- Ancient channels. Valleys such as Dao Vallis run down into Hellas from the volcanic region to the east.
Visiting Hellas in Trawers
Hellas is one of the regions with detailed elevation data in the game. Land on the rim and start the long descent: the drop to the floor is greater than the height of Everest above sea level.