Fryxell (crater)

Fryxell is a small impact crater located in the Argyre quadrangle of Mars, at 46.7° south latitude and 18.0° west longitude. It measures approximately 18 kilometers in diameter.

The crater is named after Roald Fryxell, an American glacial geologist and archaeologist (1934-1974) known for his work on the Clovis archaeological site and on the tephra stratigraphy of the Pacific Northwest. The name was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976.

Fryxell crater is situated on the plains surrounding the larger Argyre basin, a major impact feature in the southern hemisphere of Mars. Like many craters in this region, Fryxell shows evidence of modification by fluvial processes and potentially glacial activity, suggesting a history of liquid water or ice in the Martian past. The interior of the crater floor appears relatively smooth, possibly due to infilling by sediments. The rim is somewhat eroded, indicating its age.