Tharsis
Edgerunner76 (Talk | contribs) m |
Edgerunner76 (Talk | contribs) m (Rewording) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Tharsis''' is the name given to a region of | + | On the [[planet]] [[Mars]], '''Tharsis''' is the name given to a region consisting of a great bulge on the planet's surface. Four extinct volcanoes make up the region - Ascraeus mons, Pavonis mons, Arsia mons, and the largest volcano/mountain in the [[solar system]], Olympus mons. |
The formation of Tharsis can be explained by comparing it to the [[Hawai'i]]an island chain on [[Earth]]. The Hawai'ian islands are being created because that area of the [[Pacific Ocean]] is over a "hot-spot" of the Earth's [[mantle]] where molten rock near-continuously erupts onto the surface. Tharsis was over a similar "hot-spot" on Mars. The great difference is two-fold. | The formation of Tharsis can be explained by comparing it to the [[Hawai'i]]an island chain on [[Earth]]. The Hawai'ian islands are being created because that area of the [[Pacific Ocean]] is over a "hot-spot" of the Earth's [[mantle]] where molten rock near-continuously erupts onto the surface. Tharsis was over a similar "hot-spot" on Mars. The great difference is two-fold. | ||
| − | First, the Martian "hot-spot" has long since cooled and the four volcanoes of Mars are extinct. Second, the Hawai'ian island chain is a chain because of the active [[plate tectonics]] of the Earth. Mars never had such tectonics, | + | First, the Martian "hot-spot" has long since cooled and the four volcanoes of Mars are extinct. Second, the Hawai'ian island chain is a chain because of the active [[plate tectonics]] of the Earth. Mars never had such tectonics, therefore the "hot-spot" remained under the same surface area allowing the Martian volcanoes to grow to immense size. |
The Tharsis bulge grew so incredibly large that it ripped a gigantic "wound" in the surface of Mars. This "wound" is better known as the [[Valles Marineris]], the largest canyon in the solar system. | The Tharsis bulge grew so incredibly large that it ripped a gigantic "wound" in the surface of Mars. This "wound" is better known as the [[Valles Marineris]], the largest canyon in the solar system. | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
Revision as of 18:12, 10 September 2008
On the planet Mars, Tharsis is the name given to a region consisting of a great bulge on the planet's surface. Four extinct volcanoes make up the region - Ascraeus mons, Pavonis mons, Arsia mons, and the largest volcano/mountain in the solar system, Olympus mons.
The formation of Tharsis can be explained by comparing it to the Hawai'ian island chain on Earth. The Hawai'ian islands are being created because that area of the Pacific Ocean is over a "hot-spot" of the Earth's mantle where molten rock near-continuously erupts onto the surface. Tharsis was over a similar "hot-spot" on Mars. The great difference is two-fold.
First, the Martian "hot-spot" has long since cooled and the four volcanoes of Mars are extinct. Second, the Hawai'ian island chain is a chain because of the active plate tectonics of the Earth. Mars never had such tectonics, therefore the "hot-spot" remained under the same surface area allowing the Martian volcanoes to grow to immense size.
The Tharsis bulge grew so incredibly large that it ripped a gigantic "wound" in the surface of Mars. This "wound" is better known as the Valles Marineris, the largest canyon in the solar system.