List of geological features on Ganymede

Last updated

Geological map of Ganymede (February 11, 2014). Ganymede-JupiterMoon-GeologicMap-SIM3237-20140211.png
Geological map of Ganymede (February 11, 2014).
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This is a list of named geological features, except craters, on Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter. The list is complete as of August 2022.

Contents

Catenae (crater chains)

Catenae on Ganymede are named after deities from Middle Eastern mythology. [1]

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Enki Catena 38°50′N13°52′W / 38.84°N 13.86°W / 38.84; -13.86 1601997 Enki, Principal water god of the Apsu. WGPSN
Khnum Catena 32°54′N10°44′W / 32.90°N 10.73°W / 32.90; -10.73 661997 Khnum, Egyptian creation god. WGPSN
Nanshe Catena 15°24′N352°54′W / 15.4°N 352.9°W / 15.4; -352.9 103.81997Goddess of springs and canals, daughter of Enki. WGPSN
Terah Catena 7°06′N277°36′W / 7.1°N 277.6°W / 7.1; -277.6 2832000Phoenician moon god who battled with Keret in Negeb. WGPSN

Faculae

Bright patches on Ganymede's surface, called faculae (some of which are palimpsests or ghost craters), [2] are named after important and sacred places from Ancient Egyptian mythology. [1]

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Abydos Facula 33°24′N153°24′W / 33.4°N 153.4°W / 33.4; -153.4 1801985 Abydos, Egyptian town where Osiris was worshipped. WGPSN
Akhmin Facula 27°42′N189°30′W / 27.7°N 189.5°W / 27.7; -189.5 2451997 Akhmim, Egyptian town where Min was worshipped. WGPSN
Bigeh Facula 29°00′N265°42′W / 29°N 265.7°W / 29; -265.7 2242000 Bigeh, island where Hapi, Egyptian Nile god, resided. WGPSN
Busiris Facula 15°42′N215°24′W / 15.7°N 215.4°W / 15.7; -215.4 3691985 Busiris, town in lower Egypt where Osiris was first installed as local god. WGPSN
Buto Facula 13°12′N203°30′W / 13.2°N 203.5°W / 13.2; -203.5 2451985Swamp where Isis hid Osiris' body. WGPSN
Coptos Facula 9°54′N209°12′W / 9.9°N 209.2°W / 9.9; -209.2 3291985 Coptos, early town from which caravans departed. WGPSN
Edfu Facula 25°42′N147°06′W / 25.7°N 147.1°W / 25.7; -147.1 1841985 Edfu, Egyptian town where Horus was worshipped. WGPSN
Heliopolis Facula 18°30′N147°12′W / 18.5°N 147.2°W / 18.5; -147.2 501997 Heliopolis, sacred Egyptian city of the sun. WGPSN
Hermopolis Facula 22°24′N195°18′W / 22.4°N 195.3°W / 22.4; -195.3 2601997 Hermopolis, place where Unut was worshipped. WGPSN
Memphis Facula 14°06′N131°54′W / 14.1°N 131.9°W / 14.1; -131.9 3611985 Memphis, ancient capital of lower kingdom. WGPSN
Siwah Facula 7°00′N143°06′W / 7.0°N 143.1°W / 7.0; -143.1 2201985 Siwa, oasis oracle of Zeus-Ammon; visited by Alexander. WGPSN
Tettu Facula 37°36′N161°12′W / 37.6°N 161.2°W / 37.6; -161.2 1891985Egyptian town where Hatmenit and Osiris were worshipped. WGPSN
Thebes Facula 7°06′N202°24′W / 7.1°N 202.4°W / 7.1; -202.4 3601985 Thebes, ancient capital of upper kingdom. WGPSN

Fossae (ditches)

Fossae on Ganymede are named after deities and theological principles from Middle Eastern mythologies. [1]

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Lakhamu Fossa 11°36′S227°42′W / 11.6°S 227.7°W / -11.6; -227.7 3701985Dragon monster, or divine natural force produced by Apsu and Tiamat. WGPSN
Lakhmu Fossae 50°24′N128°00′W / 50.4°N 128.0°W / 50.4; -128.0 3,7001985 Lahmu, dragon monster, or divine natural force produced by Apsu and Tiamat. WGPSN
Zu Fossae 38°30′N150°30′W / 38.5°N 150.5°W / 38.5; -150.5 2,9001985 Anzû (Zu), dragon of chaos slain by Marduk. WGPSN

Paterae

Isolated, shallow depressions on Ganymede's surface, called paterae, are named after dried-up river valleys (known as wadis) that are found in the Middle East. [1]

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Hammamat Patera 24°14′S318°06′W / 24.23°S 318.1°W / -24.23; -318.1 452015 Wadi Hammamat in Egypt, associated with petroglyphs and ancient mining. WGPSN
Hamra Patera 77°21′S171°22′W / 77.35°S 171.37°W / -77.35; -171.37 432015Wadi in Jordan, associated with red sandstone cliffs and ancient copper mines. WGPSN
Musa Patera 31°21′S188°28′W / 31.35°S 188.46°W / -31.35; -188.46 692015 Wadi Musa in Jordan, proximal to Petra archeological site. WGPSN
Natrun Patera 30°56′S183°16′W / 30.93°S 183.26°W / -30.93; -183.26 37.52015 Wadi El Natrun in Egypt, site of ancient monasteries, proximal to site of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's aircraft crash that inspired the novella “The Little Prince”. WGPSN
Rum Patera 30°40′S182°49′W / 30.66°S 182.82°W / -30.66; -182.82 382015 Wadi Rum in Jordan associated with travels of T. E. Lawrence, petroglyphs, and several Neolithic sites. WGPSN
Yaroun Patera 46°39′S142°09′W / 46.65°S 142.15°W / -46.65; -142.15 962015 Wadi Yaroun in Lebanon, Neolithic archaeological site. WGPSN

Regiones

Regiones, which are dark, ancient regions on Ganymede's surface, are named after astronomers who contributed to the discovery of Jupiter's moons. [1]

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Barnard Regio 6°48′S11°36′W / 6.8°S 11.6°W / -6.8; -11.6 3,2001979 Edward E.; American astronomer (1857–1923). WGPSN
Galileo Regio 45°N127°W / 45°N 127°W / 45; -127 4,4401979 Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer (1564–1642). WGPSN
Marius Regio 2°30′N187°42′W / 2.5°N 187.7°W / 2.5; -187.7 4,9401979 Simon; German astronomer (1570–1624). WGPSN
Melotte Regio 12°00′S245°00′W / 12.0°S 245°W / -12.0; -245 4,1002013 Philibert Jacques; British astronomer (1880–1961). WGPSN
Nicholson Regio 33°06′S6°24′W / 33.1°S 6.4°W / -33.1; -6.4 3,9001979 Seth Barnes; American astronomer (1891–1963). WGPSN
Perrine Regio 34°N28°W / 34°N 28°W / 34; -28 3,8001979 Charles D.; American astronomer (1867–1951). WGPSN

Sulci

Sulci are brighter, younger, and relatively smoother, grooved terrains on Ganymede. They are mostly named after deities, heroes, and important places from Middle Eastern mythologies. [1] Others are named after places and concepts associated with the mythological Trojan prince Ganymede and his home kingdom of Troy from Greek mythology. One is named after a mythological place from Maya mythology.

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNamesakeRefs
Akitu Sulcus 38°54′N194°18′W / 38.9°N 194.3°W / 38.9; -194.3 3651997Where Marduk's statue was carried each year. WGPSN
Anshar Sulcus 18°00′N197°54′W / 18.0°N 197.9°W / 18.0; -197.9 1,3721979Assyro-Babylonian; celestial-world home of Lakhmu and Lakhamu. WGPSN
Apsu Sulci 39°24′S234°42′W / 39.4°S 234.7°W / -39.4; -234.7 1,9501979Sumero-Akkadian; primordial ocean. WGPSN
Aquarius Sulcus 52°24′N3°54′W / 52.4°N 3.9°W / 52.4; -3.9 1,4201979Greek; Zeus set Ganymede among the stars as the constellation of Aquarius, the water carrier. WGPSN
Arbela Sulcus 21°06′S349°48′W / 21.1°S 349.8°W / -21.1; -349.8 1,9401985Assyrian town where Ishtar was worshipped. WGPSN
Babylon Sulci 22°30′S264°30′W / 22.5°S 264.5°W / -22.5; -264.5 3,100July 29, 2013Assyro-Babylonian town in the land known as Akkad. WGPSN
Borsippa Sulcus 60°00′S359°54′W / 60.0°S 359.9°W / -60.0; -359.9 3,300July 29, 2013Akkadian town, location of the Sumerian god Nabu's principal sanctuary WGPSN
Bubastis Sulci 72°18′S282°54′W / 72.3°S 282.9°W / -72.3; -282.9 2,6511988Town in Egypt where Bast was worshipped. WGPSN
Byblus Sulcus 37°54′N199°54′W / 37.9°N 199.9°W / 37.9; -199.9 6451997Ancient Phoenician city where Adonis was worshipped. WGPSN
Dardanus Sulcus 46°54′S17°30′W / 46.9°S 17.5°W / -46.9; -17.5 2,9881979Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by Zeus disguised as an eagle. WGPSN
Dukug Sulcus 83°30′N3°48′W / 83.5°N 3.8°W / 83.5; -3.8 3851985Sumerian holy cosmic chamber of the gods. WGPSN
Elam Sulci 58°12′N200°18′W / 58.2°N 200.3°W / 58.2; -200.3 1,8551985Ancient Babylonian seat of sun worship, in present-day Iran. WGPSN
Erech Sulcus 7°18′S179°12′W / 7.3°S 179.2°W / -7.3; -179.2 9531985Akkadian town that was built by Marduk. WGPSN
Harpagia Sulcus 11°42′S318°42′W / 11.7°S 318.7°W / -11.7; -318.7 1,7921985Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by an eagle. WGPSN
Hursag Sulcus 9°42′S233°06′W / 9.7°S 233.1°W / -9.7; -233.1 7501985Sumerian mountain where winds dwell. WGPSN
Kishar Sulcus 6°24′S216°36′W / 6.4°S 216.6°W / -6.4; -216.6 1,1871979Assyro-Babylonian; terrestrial-world home of Lakhmu and Lakhamu. WGPSN
Lagash Sulcus 10°54′S163°12′W / 10.9°S 163.2°W / -10.9; -163.2 1,5751985Early Babylonian town. WGPSN
Larsa Sulcus 3°48′N248°42′W / 3.8°N 248.7°W / 3.8; -248.7 1,0002000Sumerian town. WGPSN
Mashu Sulcus 29°48′N205°42′W / 29.8°N 205.7°W / 29.8; -205.7 2,9601979Assyro-Babylonian; mountain with twin peaks where sun rose and set. WGPSN
Mummu Sulcus 39°00′S180°00′W / 39.0°S 180.0°W / -39.0; -180.0 2,680July 29, 2013Assyro-Babylonian; the tumult of the waves at the place where the waters of primordial freshwater ocean Apsu and salt sea Tiamat are mingled. WGPSN
Mysia Sulci 7°00′S7°54′W / 7.0°S 7.9°W / -7.0; -7.9 5,0661979Greek; where Ganymede was abducted by an eagle. WGPSN
Nineveh Sulcus 23°30′N53°06′W / 23.5°N 53.1°W / 23.5; -53.1 1,7001997City where Ishtar was worshipped. WGPSN
Nippur Sulcus 36°54′N185°00′W / 36.9°N 185.0°W / 36.9; -185.0 1,4251985Sumerian city. WGPSN
Nun Sulci 49°30′N316°24′W / 49.5°N 316.4°W / 49.5; -316.4 1,5001979Egyptian; chaos; primordial ocean; held germ of all things. WGPSN
Philae Sulcus 65°30′N169°00′W / 65.5°N 169.0°W / 65.5; -169.0 9001997Temple that was the chief sanctuary of Isis. WGPSN
Philus Sulcus 44°06′N209°30′W / 44.1°N 209.5°W / 44.1; -209.5 4651979Greek; where Ganymede and Hebe were worshipped as rain-givers. WGPSN
Phrygia Sulcus 12°24′N23°30′W / 12.4°N 23.5°W / 12.4; -23.5 3,7001979Greek; kingdom in Asia Minor where Ganymede was born. WGPSN
Shuruppak Sulcus 19°18′S232°12′W / 19.3°S 232.2°W / -19.3; -232.2 2,8002000Assyro-Babylonian town on the banks of the Euphrates River where the gods planned the great flood. WGPSN
Sicyon Sulcus 32°42′N18°30′W / 32.7°N 18.5°W / 32.7; -18.5 2,1251979Greek; where Ganymede and Hebe were worshipped as rain-givers. WGPSN
Sippar Sulcus 15°24′S189°18′W / 15.4°S 189.3°W / -15.4; -189.3 1,5081985Ancient Babylonian town. WGPSN
Tiamat Sulcus 3°24′N208°30′W / 3.4°N 208.5°W / 3.4; -208.5 1,3301979Assyro-Babylonian; tumultuous sea from which everything was generated. WGPSN
Umma Sulcus 4°06′N250°00′W / 4.1°N 250.0°W / 4.1; -250.0 1,2702000Sumerian town. WGPSN
Ur Sulcus 49°48′N177°30′W / 49.8°N 177.5°W / 49.8; -177.5 1,1451985Ancient Sumerian seat of moon worship. WGPSN
Uruk Sulcus 0°48′N160°18′W / 0.8°N 160.3°W / 0.8; -160.3 2,2001979Babylonian city ruled by Gilgamesh. WGPSN
Xibalba Sulcus 43°48′N71°06′W / 43.8°N 71.1°W / 43.8; -71.1 2,2001997Mayan "place of fright"; destination of those who escaped violent death. WGPSN

Dropped names

NameCoordinatesDiameter (km)Approval DateNotesRefs
Sais Facula 37°54′N14°12′W / 37.90°N 14.20°W / 37.90; -14.20 (Sais Facula) 137.01988Dropped and Disallowed. Sais, worship center of Neith, Egyptian goddess of creation, archery, fate, and weaving. Sais Facula was later identified as a crater chain (catena), not a facula. It is now called Enki Catena. WGPSN

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Categories (Themes) for Naming Features on Planets and Satellites". USGS. 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
  2. "Palimpsests on Ganymede: an endogenic origin?" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Institute. 1999. Retrieved 2025-12-23.