Mars Global Surveyor
Mars Orbiter Camera

Lava Flows on Olympus Mons

MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-157, 19 July 1999

Olympus Mons is one of the largest volcanoes known. The high resolution imaging capability of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) provides an opportunity to examine some of the smallest features on this extremely large volcano. This view of the lower south flank of Olympus Mons shows lava flows with leveed central channels and a variety of surface textures. Similar features can be found on the basalt volcanoes on the "Big Island" of Hawaii. This picture was taken in July 1998, and is illuminated from the lower right.

For additional MOC images of Olympus Mons see:

• Volcanism: Olympus Mons April 1998
• Olympus Mons During Aerobraking Hiatus October 1997

Malin Space Science Systems and the California Institute of Technology built the MOC using spare hardware from the Mars Observer mission. MSSS operates the camera from its facilities in San Diego, CA. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Surveyor Operations Project operates the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft with its industrial partner, Lockheed Martin Astronautics, from facilities in Pasadena, CA and Denver, CO.

To MSSS Home Page