Olympus Mons From Orbit
Explanation:
Olympus Mons on
Mars is the largest
volcano in the
Solar System.
Although three times higher than Earth's
Mount Everest, Olympus Mons would not be difficult
to climb because of the volcano's great breadth.
Covering an area greater than the entire
Hawaiian volcano chain,
the slopes of
Olympus Mons
typically rise only a few degrees at a time.
The low gravity of
Mars combined with a relatively static surface crust
allow
volcanoes
this large to build up over time.
This representative-color image was taken last
April by the
Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft
currently orbiting Mars.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
