Comprehensive global maps depicting the topography of the Martian surface (MOLA), featuring polar regions.

Comprehensive global maps depicting the topography of the Martian surface, featuring polar regions. Represented is the digital elevation model (accessible at https://astrogeology.usgs.gov), derived from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data collected by NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft (Albee et al., 2001; Smith and Zuber, 1999). The ‘lajolla‘ Scientific color map is used to guarantee precise and color-blind-friendly representation of the data.

  • Creator: Fabio Crameri
  • This version: 20.11.2023
  • License: Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Specific citation: This graphic by Fabio Crameri adjusted from Crameri et al. (2020) is available via the open-access s-ink.org repository.
  • Related references:
    Smith, D. E., & Zuber, M. T. (1998). The relationship between MOLA northern hemisphere topography and the 6.1‐Mbar atmospheric pressure surface of Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, 25(24), 4397-4400.
    Crameri, F., G.E. Shephard, and P.J. Heron (2020), The misuse of colour in science communication, Nature Communications, 11, 5444. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19160-7
  • Printable version in CMYK and vector format
  • Suitable for light & dark backgrounds
  • Perceptually uniform colour map
  • Colour-vision deficiency friendly
  • Readable in black&white

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