ESA's Mars Express mission is spotlighting Shalbatana Vallis this month, an enormous Martian valley marked by evidence of ancient water, volcanic activity, impact craters, and collapsed terrain.
Located near the equator of Mars, Shalbatana Vallis stretches across the planet for roughly 1,300 kilometers, about the length of Italy. The latest image from the spacecraft's High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) focuses on the northern section of the valley as it winds across the Martian landscape.
In October 2025, Mars Express also released a video tour of this remarkable region, tracing the valley's path from its source in the highlands of Xanthe Terra to its endpoint in the smoother terrain of Chryse Planitia.
Ancient Floods Shaped Shalbatana Vallis
Scientists believe Shalbatana Vallis formed around 3.5 billion years ago after vast amounts of groundwater burst onto the surface. The resulting floods tore through the landscape, carving deep channels as the water rushed downhill.
