Global map of Martian fluvial systems

This dataset represents an update of previous global maps of Martian fluvial systems. We included all the valleys longer than 20 km and mapped them as vector-based polylines within the QGIS software, using the more recent and, to date, the best resolution THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging Spectrometer) daytime IR mosaic (100 m/pixel). In addition, we used, where necessary (for small-scale systems and valleys with high erosion), CTX (Contex Camera) data, with a resolution up to 6 m/pixel. The imagery data were coupled with the MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter Mosaic) mosaic which has a spatial resolution of 463 m/pixel. At low latitudes, we used an equidistant cylindrical projection, while at high latitudes, we used sinusoidal and polar stereographic projections to represent and analyze the data. Topographic information and data of higher image quality (new THEMIS mosaic plus CTX data) than those of previous manual maps, allowed us to identify new structures and more tributaries for a large number of systems. An attribute table is associated to our dataset including useful information such as coordinates, total length and an approximative maximum age indication for each system. The latter has been obtained coupling our map with the global geologic map of Tanaka et al. (2014) which represents, to date, the most accurate dating of the planet surface.

Attribution:

If you use this data set in your own work, please cite this DOI:
10.5281/zenodo.1051038

Please also cite these works: 

Alemanno et al.: 2018, Global Map of Martian Fluvial Systems: Age and Total Eroded Volume Estimations, Earth and Space Science Journal, 5, 560-577, doi:https://doi.org/10.1029/2018EA000362
Orofino et al.: 2018, Estimate of the water flow duration in large Martian fluvial systems. Planetary and Space Science Journal, 163, 83-96. doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2018.06.001
Alemanno G.: 2018, Study of the fluvial activity on Mars through mapping, sediment transport modelling and spectroscopic analyses. PhD dissertation thesis, arXiv:1805.02208 [astro-ph.EP].