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Tharsis (MC-9)

from Map Sheets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2019

Kenneth S. Coles
Affiliation:
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Kenneth L. Tanaka
Affiliation:
United States Geological Survey, Arizona
Philip R. Christensen
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
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Summary

The Tharsis quadrangle spans the northern half of the highest region on the surface of Mars. High plains cover most of the map region, interrupted by immense shield volcanoes as well as grooved, ridged, and hummocky terrains. To the northwest, Olympus Mons constitutes the largest volcano in the solar system (Figure 9.A). Standing some 22 km above the immediately surrounding terrain, Olympus Mons towers two-and-a-half times as high as Mount Everest (8.8 km above sea level on Earth), while its volume is more than 50 times greater than Mauna Loa, the most massive volcano on Earth (Bargar and Jackson, 1974; Plescia, 2004; Carr, 2006; see Table 5.2). Furthermore, Pavonis Mons and Ascraeus Mons are two of the three Tharsis Montes – giant shield volcanoes that form a northeast-trending chain; also on this trend are Ceraunius Tholus, Uranius Tholus, and Uranius Mons (Scott and Tanaka, 1986; Plescia, 2004). Other substantial volcanoes in the quadrangle include Biblis, Ulysses, Tharsis, and Jovis Tholi. Large, lobate, ridged aprons surround parts of Olympus, Pavonis, and Ascraeus Montes. Local swells expose systems of linear troughs, cracks, and pit chains. Where undeformed, the quadrangle ranges from 6,000 m elevation near the volcanoes to 1,000 m above datum and is surfaced by lobate lava-flow forms, except for a patch of hummocky deposits in the southwestern corner of the quadrangle. A lower plain surrounds the base of Olympus Mons, as described below.

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The Atlas of Mars
Mapping its Geography and Geology
, pp. 114 - 119
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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