Descriptor terms are intended to represent morphological characteristics, not
geological origin. The WGPSN does not endorse any specific scientific
hypotheses when assigning descriptors.
Chart of landform types
created in 1979 by Anne Gifford, who was then at the Air and Space Museum,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Feature (Designation)
Description
Albedo Feature AL
Geographic area distinguished by amount of reflected light
Arcus, arcūs AR
Arc-shaped feature
Astrum, astra AS
Radial-patterned features on Venus
Catena, catenae CA
Chain of craters
Cavus, cavi CB
Hollows, irregular steep-sided depressions usually in arrays or clusters
Chaos, chaoses CH
Distinctive area of broken terrain
Chasma, chasmata CM
A deep, elongated, steep-sided depression
Collis, colles CO
Small hills or knobs
Corona, coronae CR
Ovoid-shaped feature
Crater, craters AA
A circular depression
Dorsum, dorsa DO
Ridge
Eruptive center ER
Active volcanic centers on Io
Facula, faculae FA
Bright spot
Farrum, farra FR
Pancake-like structure, or a row of such structures
Flexus, flexūs FE
A very low curvilinear ridge with a scalloped pattern
Fluctus, fluctūs FL
Flow terrain
Flumen, flumina FM
Channel on Titan that might carry liquid
Fossa, fossae FO
Long, narrow depression
Fretum, freta FT
Strait, a narrow passage of liquid connecting two larger areas of liquid
Insula, insulae IN
Island (islands), an isolated land area (or group of such areas) surrounded by, or nearly surrounded by, a liquid area (sea or lake)
Labes, labēs LA
Landslide
Labyrinthus, labyrinthi LB
Complex of intersecting valleys or ridges.
Lacuna, lacunae LU
Irregularly shaped depression on Titan having the appearance of a dry lake bed
Lacus, lacūs LC
"Lake" or small plain; on Titan, a "lake" or small, dark plain with discrete, sharp boundaries
Landing site name LF
Lunar features at or near Apollo landing sites
Large ringed feature LG
Cryptic ringed features
Linea, lineae LI
A dark or bright elongate marking, may be curved or straight
Lingula, lingulae LN
Extension of plateau having rounded lobate or tongue-like boundaries
Macula, maculae MA
Dark spot, may be irregular
Mare, maria ME
“Sea”; on the Moon, low albedo, relatively smooth plain, generally of large extent; on Mars, dark albedo areas of no known geological significance; on Titan, large expanses of dark materials thought to be liquid hydrocarbons
Mensa, mensae MN
A flat-topped prominence with cliff-like edges
Mons, montes MO
Mountain
Oceanus, oceani OC
A very large dark area on the moon
Palus, paludes PA
"Swamp"; small plain
Patera, paterae PE
An irregular crater, or a complex one with scalloped edges
Planitia, planitiae PL
Low plain
Planum, plana PM
Plateau or high plain
Plume, plumes PU
Cryo-volcanic features on Triton
Promontorium, promontoria PR
"Cape"; headland promontoria
Regio, regiones RE
A large area marked by reflectivity or color distinctions from adjacent areas, or a broad geographic region
Reticulum, reticula RT
reticular (netlike) pattern on Venus
Rima, rimae RI
Fissure
Rupes, rupēs RU
Scarp
Satellite Feature SF
A feature that shares the name of an associated feature. For example, on the Moon the craters referred to as "Lettered Craters" are classified in the gazetteer as "Satellite Features."
Saxum, saxa SA
Boulder or rock
Scopulus, scopuli SC
Lobate or irregular scarp
Serpens, serpentes SE
Sinuous feature with segments of positive and negative relief along its length
Sinus, sinūs SI
"Bay"; small plain; on Titan, bays within seas or lakes of liquid hydrocarbons