Part 3/6:
Groundbreaking Discoveries
Cassini flew within just over 1,000 kilometers of Iapetus, allowing it to capture detailed images and data that unveiled a wealth of information. Among the most remarkable findings is a long, icy ridge that stretches over 800 miles along the moon’s equator. This ridge is complemented by stunning features — mountains that soar three times higher than Mount Everest, showcasing the moon's stark topographical contrasts.
In addition to geological marvels, Cassini’s cameras documented the chaotic aftermath of a massive landslide that partially obscured the floor of a vast basin, surrounded by ice walls towering more than nine miles high. These observations not only deepen our understanding of Iapetus' surface but also prompt questions about its geological history.