Olympus Mons

Today's VIS image shows the western flank of Olympus Mons. Numerous thin lava flows are visible. The small raised channel is one mode of lava emplacement where the flow builds up cooling levees along both sides of the channel. Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system, reaching heights over 40 km (25 miles) tall from base to summit, with the base covering an area as large as the state of Arizona. For comparison, Mauna Loa is 9 km (5.5 miles) tall measured from its base on the sea floor.