In addition to this, an outflow-channel system with individual beds measuring from 0.5 to 3.4 km in width emanates directly at the northwestern edge of the sharp graben fault bordering the impact crater (top left edge of the image). The waters were apparently released with bursts forming streamlined islands and terraced channel walls. Some much smaller channels can be found crosscutting the northern ejecta blanket of the large impact crater. Scientists suggest that these massive water amounts were released by perching of a groundwater aquifer while the buildup of the faults took place, or that volcanic warming led to melting of ground ice and the waters then took the easiest way to the surface through the graben system.

Taken all this together, this single HRSC image mosaic paints the picture of a fascinating active planetary history with impacts, volcanos, tectonic graben systems and also river channels.

Fun fact: Jovis Tholus would fit entirely into the caldera of Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system.