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Could Olympus Mons erupt again?
While its last eruption happened while dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, scientists are still unsure of Olympus Mons is dormant or not, and thus it may still erupt again in the future. It is interesting to think about the effects that the last eruption had on Mars, or even what the next eruption might do to those on Earth if it happened tomorrow.
What happens to volcanoes when tectonic plates move?
On Earth, since tectonic plates are always moving (albeit gradually), a volcano is active for a given period and then goes extinct, as the tectonic plates shift away from areas of volcanic activity. This can create volcanic chains, such as the Hawaiian islands, rather than one massive volcano, like Olympus Mons.
Why is Olympus Mons so big?
This can create volcanic chains, such as the Hawaiian islands, rather than one massive volcano, like Olympus Mons. This is the primary reason for the size of Olympus Mons; it simply has had a lot of time to grow, and may still be active to this day!
Can you stand on top of Olympus Mons on Mars?
The cloud system to the far left surrounds Olympus Mons (NASA) If you could visit Mars and stand on the top of the Olympus Mons you would find the calderas spectacular. However, you would have no idea from just looking around you that you were on the top of a huge mountain.
Is Olympus Mons the second largest volcano on Mars?
In terms of surface area, Olympus Mons is the second-largest volcano in the solar system, second only to Earth’s Tamu Massif. Olympus Mons is the youngest of the large volcanoes on Mars, having formed during Mars’s Hesperian Period.
What are the steps to colonising Mars?
Five steps to colonising Mars – BBC Future. 1. Getting there. Within the next decade Nasa will finally have a spacecraft capable of making the journey to Mars. The massive new 2500 tonne SLS, 2. Become self-sufficient. Having successfully landed on Mars you need air, water, food and power to
What would you need to survive on Mars?
Having successfully landed on Mars you need air, water, food and power to survive. In the short term you could rely on supplies brought from Earth or sent on supply missions but eventually you are going to have to produce your own.