An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

In astrogeology, long, narrow, steep sided depressions on planets and Moon, for example, Melas Chasma and Candor Chasma on Mars.

Etymology (EN): L. chasma, from Gk. khasma “yawning hollow, gulf,” related to khaskein “to yawn,” and thus to → chaos (1).

Etymology (PE): Karz “big fissure in a mountain,” from Qâeni dialect.