Western flank of Olympus Mons


Western flank of Olympus Mons
 
Western flank of Olympus Mons
 
21 April 2004
 
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 right.

The images show the western flank of Olympus Mons and the escarpment at lower left rises from the surface level to over 7000 metres. At the top of the image, part of the extensive plains west of the escarpment are shown, known as the 'aureole' (from the Latin for 'circle of light').
 
 
Anaglyph image of Olympus Mons
 
Western flank of Olympus Mons in 3D
 
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. The origin of the deposits has challenged planetary scientists for an explanation 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.
 
 
Olympus Mons in black and white
 
Western flank of Olympus Mons (black and white)
 
 
The colour image has been created from the nadir and three colour channels. Image resolution has been decreased to 50%.

The anaglyph (3D) image has been created from the nadir channel (vertical view) and one stereo channel of the HRSC. This 3D image above requires stereoscopic glasses to view.
 
 
HRSC image of Olympus Mons
 
Perspective view of flank of Olympus Mons
 
 
 
HRSC image of Olympus Mons
 
Close-up perspective view of flank of Olympus Mons
 
 
 
 For more information on Mars Express HRSC images, you might like to read our updated 'Frequently Asked Questions'.
 
 

Looking at Mars

 •  - (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html)

Mars Express image browser

 •  - (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMVZF77ESD_0.html)

Recent images

 •  View of deposits in Melas Chasma on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMFKTV4QWD_0.html)
 •  Fractured crater near Valles Marineris (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMG6OV4QWD_0.html)
 •  'Yardangs' on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMN6GV4QWD_0.html)
 •  Northern rim of Hellas basin (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMB5UL26WD_0.html)
 •  Melas Chasma, in Valles Marineris (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM69E3VQUD_0.html)
 •  Evidence of flooding at Mangala Valles (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM4SS2VQUD_0.html)
 •  Arsia Mons volcano in 3D (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM2EAHHZTD_0.html)
 •  Deep faults and disrupted crater at Acheron Fossae (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMKRR77ESD_0.html)
 •  Louros Valles, south of Ius Chasma (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM6TZ57ESD_0.html)
 •  Claritas Fossae tectonic region on Mars (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM18A57ESD_0.html)

More information

 •  High Resolution Stereo Camera (http://berlinadmin.dlr.de/Missions/express/indexeng.shtml)
 •  Behind the lens... (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMSXE1PGQD_0.html)