Rainy Day at Hotei Arcus

A short but fierce "gullywasher" rainstorm of Methane falls on the mountains surrounding the intriguing flows of Titan's Hotei Arcus in this artist's concept, based upon radar mapping data from the Cassini Spacecraft in orbit around Saturn.

Radar data show that the arc of Hotei is the boundary between rugged mountains to the South and East and a broad valley. Emerging from the mountains are several radar-bright channels that are likely now dry riverbeds that were carved by flowing Methane due to rainfall. Within the valley, the channels end near lobate (blobby) flows some 100 to 200 meters (300 to 600 feet) thick, which some scientists think could be slushy ice lava from cryovolcanoes.
These flows are portrayed here as the rough and elevated lighter tan areas in the foreground. It is possible that such phenomena could release Methane from beneath the surface, helping to explain how Titan's Atmosphere sustains its supply of Methane.

The area depicted is located at approximately 28° South Latitude and 78° West Longitude.