Serpens, [Serpentes]

A descriptor term used in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, which is assigned for a type of sinuous ridge on Mars.

Definition

“Sinuous feature with segments of positive and negative relief along its length” (IAU 2012).

Description

See Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Fig. 1

Schematic illustrating various types of landform morphology for a serpens, which has two or more sections with both positive and negative relief. Negative-relief examples include (a) flat-edge trough and (b) ridge-bounded trough analogous to the form observed in a leveed river valley. There are instances where the continuity of the landform can be traced (c) even when there is minimal relief and is distinguished based on albedo, color, and/or surface texture consistent with other regions of the serpens. Positive-relief types of serpents include (d) flat-topped ridge, (e) rounded ridge, and (f) pinnacle ridge, and double-ridge varieties can be (g) symmetric or (h) asymmetric. Ridge-bounded trough (b) and double ridge (g,...