Olympus mons

Tallest mountain in the solar system

Olympus Mons, an extinct vulcano, in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. The mountain is 27 km high, which makes it the tallest mountain in the solar system. It has an average elevation of 22 km. It is 624 km (374 mi) in diameter






The western flank of Olympus Mons 222° East and 22° North. North is to the left. Mars Express took this photo during orbit 143 from an altitude of 266 km.

The lower part of the image shows the start of the extensive plains west of the escarpment, known as the 'aureole' (Latin for 'circle of light'). The escarpment rises from the surface level to over 7000 metres.

To the north and west of the volcano, these 'aureole' deposits are regions of gigantic ridges and blocks extending some 1000 km from the summit like petals of a flower. The origin of the deposits has challenged planetary scientists for an explanation for decades. Perhaps landslides. Large masses of shield material can be found in the aureole area. And mayby development and resurfacing caused by glacial activity.






Closer look of view above...



List of mountains on Mars...