The formation history of Olympus Mons from paleo-topography

Abstract

The formation of the volcano Olympus Mons, is linked directly to the geodynamic history of both Tharsis, and Mars as a whole. We sought to constrain the bulk formation period using paleo-topographic evidence. On the northeastern edge of the flexural trough, we located a lava flow whose path is radically discordant with current down-slope directions, indicating entrenchment prior to large-scale flexural trough formation. To constrain the end of bulk formation, we used the aureole deposits that surround the flanks of Olympus Mons, and were a consequence of crustal fracture under the weight of Olympus. Applying crater retention age dating to images from THEMIS VIS and THEMIS IR, we proposed the bulk formation of Olympus Mons occurred between 3.67 -010+005 Ga and 3.53-0.28+0 09 Ga.