The image shows the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. 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').

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.

This colour image has been created from the nadir channel and three colour channels. Image resolution has been decreased to 50%.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU (G. Neukum)

The image shows the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. 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').

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.

This anaglyph (3D) image has been created from the nadir channel (vertical view) and one stereo channel of the HRSC. Image resolution has been decreased to 50%.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU (G. Neukum)

The image shows the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. 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').

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.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU (G. Neukum)

The perspective view shows the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. The escarpment rises from the surface level to over 7000 metres. The lower part of the image shows the start of the extensive plains west of the escarpment, known as the 'aureole' (from the Latin for 'circle of light').

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.

The anaglyph (3D) image has been created from the nadir channel (vertical view) and one stereo channel of the HRSC. The colour image has been created from the nadir and three colour channels. Image resolution has been decreased to 50%.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU (G. Neukum)

This is close-up perspective view of the western flank of the shield volcano Olympus Mons in the Tharsis region of the western Martian hemisphere. This escarpment rises from the surface level to over 7000 metres.

To the north and west of the volcano, '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.

The anaglyph (3D) image has been created from the nadir channel (vertical view) and one stereo channel of the HRSC. The colour image has been created from the nadir and three colour channels. Image resolution has been decreased to 50%.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU (G. Neukum)