Morphometric analysis of pitted cones in southern Utopia Planitia, Mars

Pitted cones are widely distributed in the northern lowlands of Mars， yet their formation remains debated because similar morphologies can originate from magmatic or sedimentary volcanic processes. Here， we present a comprehensive morphometric analysis of 3，698 pitted cones in southern Utopia Planitia， including 3-D constraints for a subset of 1，207 cones derived from MRO Context camera digital terrain models. We quantify cone and pit diameters， roundness， planform asymmetry， and flank slopes using eight radial profiles for each cone. Summit pits are typically half of the cone basal diameter， and cone perimeters are systematically rounder than the pit rims. The cones are generally low-relief features but retain locally steep flank segments (>20°)， with maximum flank slopes comparable to those of terrestrial cinder cones. Cones become larger， steeper， and higher relief toward the interior of the Utopia basin， suggesting increased constructional energy or preservation potential. MOLA-based transects show a uniformly gentle regional slope， indicating limited subset-scale topographic control. Crater chronology brackets a representative cone-forming/resurfacing episode between 1.5 ±0.3 Ga and 220 ±50 Ma. Although morphometry alone cannot provide a definitive genetic diagnosis， it indicates relatively strong and erosion-resistant cone materials.