NASA’s 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter has captured a stunning new panorama of Arsia Mons—the southernmost of the three Tharsis Montes volcanoes—emerging above low-hanging morning clouds on May 2, 2025. Spanning nearly 270 miles in diameter, Arsia Mons towers at nearly 12 miles high (20 km), rendering it almost twice as tall as Earth’s Mauna Loa and far exceeding Mount Everest in stature.
The dramatic edge-on view offers a rare astronaut-like perspective of the Red Planet, with a subtle greenish haze—likely ice-crystal clouds—visible above the volcano. This marks the first horizon-shot of any Martian volcano, highlighting seasonal atmospheric changes. Researchers note that this viewpoint provides valuable insights into Mars’ weather cycles and cloud patterns as the orbiter rotates to capture these images.
Arsia Mons is among Mars’ youngest giant volcanoes; its summit caldera spans 72 miles (120 km), the outcome of massive collapse after past eruptions. Beneath its slopes, scientists have identified collapse features—likely lava tube skylights—suggesting a complex volcanic and glacial history.
