• Source: NASA HQ
• Posted Thursday, January 12, 2012

Emi Koussi Volcano and Aorounga Impact Crater, Chad are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 30 crew member on the International Space Station. This striking photograph features two examples of circular landscape features - labeled as craters - that were produced by very different geological processes. 

At left, the broad grey-green shield volcano of Emi Koussi is visible. The volcano is marked by three overlapping calderas formed by eruptions; these form a large oblong depression at the 3,415 meter ASL summit of the volcano. A smaller crater sits within the larger caldera depression. While volcanic activity has not been observed, nor is mentioned in the historical record, an active thermal area is located on the southern flank. 

The circular Aorounga Impact Crater is located approximately 110 kilometers to the southeast of Emi Koussi and has its origin in forces from above rather than eruptions from below. According to scientists, the Aorounga structure is thought to record a meteor impact approximately 345-370 million years ago. The circular feature visible at upper right may be only one of three impact craters formed by the same event -- the other two are buried by sand deposits. 

The linear features (lower right) that arc around Emi Koussi and overprint Aorounga and the surrounding bedrock are known as yardangs; these are rock ridges formed by wind erosion. ISS030-E-005456 (26 Nov. 2011) --- high res (1.5 M) low res (76 K)