Mars Express' Image of Hecates Tholus

By Fraser Cain - March 1, 2004 at 4:40 AM UTC | Planetary Science

Image credit: ESA The colour image (with north at the top) shows the summit caldera of Hecates Tholus, the northernmost volcano of the Elysium volcano group. The volcano reveals multiple caldera collapses. On the flanks of Hecates Tholus, several flow features related to water (lines radiating outwards) and pit chains related to lava can be observed. The volcano has an elevation of 5300 m, the caldera has a diameter of maximum 10 km and a depth of 600 m. The image centre is located at 150? East and 31.7? North.

Credits: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum)

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Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain

Fraser Cain is the publisher of Universe Today, founding the website in March 1999. He's also the co-host of Astronomy Cast.