Olympus Mons Flank

Today's VIS image is located on the western flank of Olympus Mons. Thin lava flows cover the sides of the volcano. The dark band in the lower part of the image is the escarpment called Olympus Rupes. At this location there is a large change in elevation over a very small distance. Olympus Mons is the largest volcano in the solar system, reaching heights over 25 km (16 miles) tall from base to summit, with the base covering an area as large as the state of Arizona. For comparison, Mauna Kea is 10.2 km (6.3 miles) tall measured from its base on the sea floor.