Cydonia Quest C "Fossil" Arcologies in
C Part Two
Continued analysis of HiRISE image sweep PSP_005654_1450
The narrowness of the false-colour strip in HiRISE images means that if we want to investigate the area around Ariadnes "A" we must use the grayscale imagery. The illustration below shows the other mesa-like features that are its neighbours. It can be seen that they all have similar ramparts to Ariadnes "A", which is something that seems common to all the hills in image sweep PSP_005654_1450.
At higher resolution there are very interesting features on Ariadnes "B" and "C" in addition to those already described for Ariadnes "A".
The image below shows a raised grid pattern on the surface of Ariadnes "B" that is located next to its outer rampart - seen on the right. The cells in the grid are the size of large rooms or small houses. (Note: grayscale images are always best viewed in low lighting conditions).
When considering these grids as the "fossil" skeletons of former arcologies we should compare their appearance to the skeletons of man-made structures that have collapsed. The next illustration shows two collapsed structures. In the case of the collapsed stadium roof (top image) some regular right-angled geometry has survived. However, there are also other parts of the support structure where the girders are twisted or missing from the grid.
Readers are advised to view these images in "full screen" mode - press the F11 key to enter "full screen" and then F11 again to return to the normal browser view. Many readers will benefit by increasing their browser "zoom" by an increment or two - hold down the control key (Ctrl) and press the plus key (+). To return to standard zoom hold down the control key and press the minus key (-).
In the second image of the illustration it can be seen that when a man-made multi-level support structure collapses the girders can come to rest on top of one another at confusing angles. We would therefore expect the collapsed structural skeletons of the proposed "fossil" arcologies at Ariadnes Colles to have similar properties to these two Earth bound examples.
At higher resolution the quantity and diversity of structural patterning over the surface of Ariadnes "C" is very impressive indeed. The centre of Ariadnes "C" rises above the level of the surrounding rampart. It has a convincing appearance as a multi-level mega building encased in the soft sedimentary rock that buried Ariadnes Colles.
In terms of the arcology model we are apparently seeing sediment choked rooms, criss-crossing support beams, and 3D structural grids eroding out of the soft rock that entombs them.
The prepared illustrations of these features covering Ariadnes "C" are too big to fit into this web page. They have therefore been set out in a display poster that the reader can view by clicking on the "thumbnail" illustration below. . Click on the smaller image below to see the full sized Display Poster .
C
µ Back to Part 1 µ Forward to Part 3 µ Forward to Part 4 µ Back to the Mars Page µ Back to Cydonia Quest Main Page c |
