Based on the imagery alone, which is never enough information to complete characterize fault populations, I think these NW-striking features are joints accompanied by ENE-striking thrust faults (black dots in attached jpg).
Thrust faults like these are common on mercury, and other planets who are shrinking over time via cooling. Thrust faults form under compression and, as stress theory predicts, joints would form orthogonal to the thrusts.
I also don't see any evidence of offset on the NW-striking features, leading me to believe they are non-offset fractures (joints) and not faults.
BrandonMarc on June 19th, 2017 at 15:27 UTC »
Well it certainly doesn't look like camera artifacts. I was under the impression Mars had no known plate techtonics or quakes. Wonder what's up ...
badalberts on June 19th, 2017 at 15:59 UTC »
Looks a bit like seafloor transform faulting. Where did you find that image? Pretty cool.
sigma_three on June 19th, 2017 at 19:07 UTC »
Structural geologist here (late, but still here)
Based on the imagery alone, which is never enough information to complete characterize fault populations, I think these NW-striking features are joints accompanied by ENE-striking thrust faults (black dots in attached jpg).
Thrust faults like these are common on mercury, and other planets who are shrinking over time via cooling. Thrust faults form under compression and, as stress theory predicts, joints would form orthogonal to the thrusts.
I also don't see any evidence of offset on the NW-striking features, leading me to believe they are non-offset fractures (joints) and not faults.
Would love to hear some more interpretations!
Figure: http://i.imgur.com/HSvnStq.jpg