The short answer is – yes! In fact, Mars was volcanically very active around three to four billion years ago. The largest volcano discovered in our entire solar system is also said to be found on Mars!
Most of the major, known volcanoes are concentrated in two areas of the planet – Tharsis and Elysium volcanic regions. With a diameter that is roughly 4,000 kilometres, Tharsis bulge is by far the biggest volcanic region on Mars. It is home to 12 large volcanoes, including Ascraeus Mons, Pavonis Mons and Arsia Mons. Together, these three volcanoes standing in a line on the crest of the bulge is known as the Tharsis Montes. (“Mons” is a Latin word meaning “mountains,” and its plural is “Montes.”)
On the western side of the Tharsis bulge we can find Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain and volcano on Mars; and on its northern side, Alba Mons, or Alba Patera, the largest volcano on the planet in terms of area covered. Compared to the Tharsis region, the Elysium is smaller – it is only about 2,000 km wide. Its three main volcanoes are Elysium Mons, Hecates Tholus and Albor Tholus. (In Latin, “tholus” means a “dome.”) It was in the Elysium region that scientists found the “youngest” volcanic deposits on the planet, indicative of Mars having had volcanic activity as recently as 53,000 years ago!
Picture Credit : Google
