Olympus Mons caldera on Mars
Title

Olympus Mons caldera on Mars

Caption

Mars Express Image: Olympus Mons caldera in perspective Source: European Space Agency Posted Wednesday, August 11, 2004This perspective view, taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on board ESA's Mars Express spacecraft, shows the complex caldera of Olympus Mons on Mars, the highest volcano in our Solar System. Olympus Mons has an average elevation of 22 kilometres and the caldera, or summit crater, has a depth of about 3 kilometres. The data was retrieved during orbit 143 of Mars Express on 24 February 2004. The view is looking north. The curved striations on the left and foreground, in the southern part of the caldera, are tectonic faults. After lava production has ceased the caldera collapsed over the emptied magma chamber. Through the collapse the surface suffers from extension and so extensional fractures are formed.

Date

20th century

Credit line

Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library

Reference

ARP15A02_083

License type

Rights managed

Available size

51,4Mb (1,6Mb) / 22,3in x 8,9in / 6700 x 2680 (300dpi)

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