What is the name of the largest volcano in the solar system located on Mars?

• A. Mauna Loa
• B. Etna
• C. Olympus Mons
• D. Vesuvius

Answer: (C)

The main point is that Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest volcano in the solar system. It’s a massive shield volcano formed by countless lava flows, rising about 22 kilometers high and spanning roughly 600 kilometers across. Mars’ weaker gravity and lack of plate tectonics let magma pile up in one place over long periods, so lava builds a single, enormous peak instead of producing a chain of volcanoes or limiting height as on Earth. By contrast, while Mauna Loa, Etna, and Vesuvius are impressive on Earth, they’re far smaller because Earth’s stronger gravity and active plate tectonics continually shape and cap volcanic growth.