![Valles Marineris, the largest canyon system on Mars, shown in a composite of images taken by the …[Credits : Photo NASA/JPL/Caltech (NASA photo # PIA00422)]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/96/21196-004-03BF7AC7.jpg)
Valles Marineris, the largest canyon system on Mars, shown in a composite of images taken by the Viking 1 and 2 orbiters. The system extends east-west for about 4,000 km (2,500 miles); individual canyons are typically 200 km (125 miles) across. Several canyons merge at the centre to form a depression 600 km (375 miles) across and as much as 9 km (5.6 miles) deep.
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