A geological characterization of Ligeia Mare in the northern polar region of Titan

Ligeia Mare, the second largest sea on Titan, resides in an endorheic basin dominated by seas in the northeastern polar region. Ligeia's shoreline morphology resembles terrestrial man-made reservoirs where water is dammed and valleys are flooded. Here we describe the mare and surrounding geologically diverse terrain including rugged highlands and lowlands, incised valleys, and smooth plains. Observations include active processes evidenced by drainage flow directions, areal extent of rivers and river valleys, sediment volume estimates, and varied drainage patterns. Headward erosion has carved valley and ridge systems in the flanks of the highlands, while the more distal highland plateau is mostly uncut by rivers or extensive erosion and contains smaller lakes, lakebeds, and mottled terrain.