Escarpment and landslides of Olympus Mons
These images from ESA's Mars Express show the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere.
These images were taken by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) during orbit 143 from an altitude of 266 kilometres. They were taken with a resolution of about 25 metres per pixel and are centred at 222° East and 22° North. North is to the left.
The images show the western part of the escarpment, rising from the surface level to over 7000 metres. In the foreground, part of the extensive plains west of the escarpment are shown, known as an 'aureole' (from the Latin for 'circle of light'). See the black and white MOLA image for the full extent of this aureole.
To the north and west of the volcano, these 'aureole' deposits are regions of gigantic ridges and blocks extending some 1000 kilometres from the summit like petals of a flower. An explanation for the origin of the deposits has challenged planetary scientists for decades.
The most persistent explanation, however, has been landslides. Large masses of shield material can be found in the aureole area. Several indications also suggest a development and resurfacing connected to glacial activity.
The colour image has been created from the nadir (vertical view) and three colour channels on the HRSC. Image resolution has been decreased to 50% for use on the internet.
For more information on Mars Express HRSC images, you might like to read our updated 'Frequently Asked Questions'.
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Mars_Express_image_browser- View of deposits in Melas Chasma on Mars
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/View_of_deposits_in_Melas_Chasma_on_Mars - Fractured crater near Valles Marineris
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Fractured_crater_near_Valles_Marineris - 'Yardangs' on Mars
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Yardangs_on_Mars - Northern rim of Hellas basin
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Northern_rim_of_Hellas_basin - Melas Chasma, in Valles Marineris
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Melas_Chasma_in_Valles_Marineris - Evidence of flooding at Mangala Valles
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Evidence_of_flooding_at_Mangala_Valles - Arsia Mons volcano in 3D
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Arsia_Mons_volcano_in_3D - Deep faults and disrupted crater at Acheron Fossae
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Deep_faults_and_disrupted_crater_at_Acheron_Fossae - Western flank of Olympus Mons
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Western_flank_of_Olympus_Mons - Louros Valles, south of Ius Chasma
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Louros_Valles_south_of_Ius_Chasma - Claritas Fossae tectonic region on Mars
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Claritas_Fossae_tectonic_region_on_Mars - HRSC at DLR
http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10364/548_read-400/#/gallery/657 - Behind the lens...
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Behind_the_lens