The giant shield volcanoes on the Tharsis bulge
The giant shield volcanoes on the Tharsis bulge
Mars Express has been orbiting the 'Red Planet' for more than 20 years. On 19 October 2023, the HRSC camera system, developed and operated by the DLR Institute of Planetary Research, scanned Mars from the southern highlands to the northern lowlands during orbit 25,000. A digital terrain model was calculated using topography data from the MOLA laser altimeter, from which it was possible to create this triply exaggerated true-colour perspective view of the Tharsis region with the large shield volcanoes (from south to north) Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, Ascraeus Mons and (on the horizon) the 22-kilometre-high Olympus Mons. The tectonic trenches of Noctis Labyrinthus can be seen at the bottom right, just east of the volcanoes.
