Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest volcano in space with a height taller than that Mount Everest on Earth.
While there are several magnificent snow-capped mountains on Earth that loom over the surrounding landscapes, none quite measure up to Olympus Mons on Mars.
Olympus Mons, or “Mount Olympus” in Latin, was first captured in great detail by Nasa’s Mariner 9 spacecraft in 1971. It stands at a height of almost 16 miles. In contrast, Mount Everest, its most well-known rival on Earth, is only roughly 5.5 miles above sea level.
Olympus Mons’ breadth is equally as remarkable as its height: It is the same size as the entire state of Arizona, spanning 374 miles. Shield volcanoes, like Olympus Mons, are generated as lava slowly spreads out and cools. They are named for their resemblance to a warrior’s shield and often have a low profile.
Then, how did Olympus Mons grow to be so large? Scientists believe that over billions of years, Mars’ massive shield volcano expanded beyond what is seen on Earth due to a combination of intense volcanic activity and low surface gravity.
Furthermore, because of Mars’ far more constrained plate movement than Earth, where volcanoes originate as tectonic plates drift over hot areas of lava, magma can accumulate for a very long time in a single location.
Thus, although reaching the tops of mountains like Everest and K2 is still a remarkable achievement on Earth, the red planet offers the greatest climbing challenge in the solar system.
