Arsia Mons

Arsia Mons
Image Credit: NASA/MOLA Science Team
Viking mosaic/MOLA topography image with 10:1 vertical exaggeration, showing the massive side lobes on the southwest (top) and northeast (bottom) sides of the volcano
Feature typeShield volcano
Coordinates8°21′S 120°05′W / 8.35°S 120.09°W / -8.35; -120.09
Peak11.7 km (7.3 mi) 38,386 ft (11,700 m)
EponymLatin – Arsia Silva – classical albedo feature name

Arsia Mons /ˈɑːrsiə ˈmɒnz/ is the southernmost of three volcanoes (collectively known as Tharsis Montes) on the Tharsis bulge near the equator of the planet Mars. To its north is Pavonis Mons, and north of that is Ascraeus Mons. The tallest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons, is to its northwest. Its name comes from a corresponding albedo feature on a map by Giovanni Schiaparelli, which he named in turn after the legendary Roman forest of Arsia Silva. Historically, it was known as Nodus Gordii ("Gordian knot") before being renamed.[1]

  1. ^ Moore, Patrick (1977). Guide to Mars. Guildford [England]: Lutterworth. ISBN 0-7188-2316-8. OCLC 3650136.