This book summarizes our knowledge of the morphology of the martian surface and speculates on how the surface evolved to its present state. During the last three decades our knowledge of Mars has increased dramatically. A succession of orbiting spacecraft (Table I) have observed the planet at ever-increasing resolution, rovers have traversed the surface, analyzing and scrutinizing rocks along the way, and ever more sophisticated techniques are being used to analyze increasing numbers of martian meteorites. The planet has had a complicated history. The aim of the book is to summarize our understanding of the nature and sequence of the processes that led to the present configuration of the surface. While the book is intended for the serious student or researcher, technical jargon is avoided to the extent that it is possible without compromising precision. It is hoped that the book will be readable to informed non-Mars specialists as well as those active in the field. Sufficient documentation is provided to enable the reader to dig more deeply wherever he or she wishes. Heavy reliance is placed on imaging data. Other evidence is referred to where available, but at the present time, imaging is by far the most comprehensive global data set that we have in terms of areal coverage and resolution range.

Exploration of Mars has captured world-wide interest. Mars is an alien planet yet not so alien as to be incomprehensible. The landscape is foreign yet we can still recognize familiar features such as volcanoes and river channels.