View from the flank of Olympus Mons

Olympus Mons is one of the highest volcanoes on Mars. In this view we are near the rim of the shield wall, about three miles above the plains beyond. The summit continues to rise behind us to an altitude of 15 miles (nearly three times higher than Earth's Mount Everest). Clouds composed of water ice crystals have been observed in this region during the summer season. Here they blanket a hazy, salmon sky.