Valles Marineris: The Grand Canyon of Mars

The Grand Canyon is the largest canyon on Earth. At nearly 300 miles long and over a mile deep, it has inspired generations of American and foreign visitors who flock to its rim for the chance to marvel at what time and water can do to a landscape.

Although the Grand Canyon is known for its vastness, it is not the largest canyon in our solar system. The Martian Valles Marineris (Mariner Valley), is a far more impressive feature, dwarfing the Grand Canyon in comparison with over 100 times its volume. In fact, it is so large that if you stood in the center of the valley you wouldn’t be able to see the canyon walls. The perception would be that you were standing on a wide expanse of an open plain, which indeed you would be, albeit at the bottom of the deepest known canyon.

For those fortunate enough to visit the rim of the Grand Canyon, I hope you’ll take a few moments to ponder as you look out over the expanse. What would it feel like to stand on the rim of Valles Marineris? What would you see or feel?

As we celebrated the success of The Mars Atlas Kickstarter campaign I decided to take my fiancé to the Grand Canyon for a little winter adventuring and R&R. Upon reaching our remote campsite on the north rim we quickly scurried to the edge of the canyon to watch the sunset.

Being February, the air was crisp and cold. Red dust blew around our feet and the sky was orange as the last beams of light passed through those same red dust particles suspended in the atmosphere. With the exception of a few sprigs of grass and a lone pine tree, I do believe this is what it would be like to stand at the edge of Valles Marineris. Cold, colorful, and on the edge (literally) of all our human potential.

“Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.”

― Carl Sagan, Cosmos