Recommended Free Tools
Yes—by the commonly cited base-to-summit measure. NASA describes Olympus Mons as rising more than 40 km (25 miles) from base to summit. That is not the same as its elevation above Mars’s 0 km datum: a NASA image caption places a location in the summit region just over 20 km above that reference level. The answer depends on what you mean by “height.”
How tall is Olympus Mons?
The clearest figure to quote is more than 40 km (25 miles) from base to summit. NASA’s Mars facts page and a NASA/JPL-Caltech/Arizona State University Mars Odyssey photojournal entry use that description. The photojournal entry, added August 22, 2022, also says the volcano’s base covers an area comparable to Arizona. NASA’s Mars facts overview and the Mars Odyssey image description are the sources for this commonly quoted height.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Because Olympus Mons is a vast shield volcano, “base” is not as simple a boundary as the foot of a narrow peak. Its broad, gently sloping flanks spread across a huge area, and the volcano is bordered by a steep scarp. A height measured from the surrounding terrain therefore answers a different question from elevation measured against a planet-wide reference surface.
Why do sources give different heights?
The figures refer to different baselines or differently framed summaries. They should not be blended into one supposedly exact measurement:
#1 Best Overall
- Globe Diameter : 24cm / 9.5"
- Item Size : 9.5"D X 14"H X 10"W / D 24cm X H 36cm X W 26cm / Diameter X Height X Width
- Name : Explorer Red Mars Globe, 24cm/9.5"
- Color : Red (Mars surface) / Uses images from NASA
- Base Material : Plastic Dark Brown (ABS)
| Figure | What it measures or describes | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| More than 40 km (25 miles) | Height from base to summit | NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU Mars Odyssey photojournal, added August 22, 2022; also stated by NASA’s Mars facts overview, which does not give an original publication date in the cited material. |
| Just over 20 km | Elevation above the 0 km Martian datum at a location in the summit region—not local height above the volcano’s base | NASA/JPL/Malin Space Science Systems, Mars Global Surveyor image description, August 20, 2003. |
| 27 km | A rounded description of the volcano’s height; the page also gives a base wider than 600 km and a surrounding scarp up to 6 km high | NASA/JPL/USGS Viking mosaic entry, June 4, 1998. |
| Over 26 km | Peak height above the base, as stated in an educational summary | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s StarChild page; no date is stated in the cited material. |
The NASA pages do not all state a measurement method precise enough to reconcile every rounded number. The difference is not, on these sources alone, evidence of a recent correction. When quoting a height, preserve the source’s wording and baseline. NASA’s description of the summit region explains the datum-based figure; the 1998 Viking mosaic description and StarChild explanation provide the other rounded summaries.
What makes Olympus Mons hard to compare with other mountains?
Olympus Mons is a shield volcano on Mars, not a steep, narrow terrestrial-style peak. NASA’s 1998 Viking mosaic description gives it a base more than 600 km wide and a surrounding scarp up to 6 km high. It describes the summit caldera as nearly 3 km deep and 25 km across. Those dimensions show why the result depends on where a measurer draws the volcano’s boundary and what terrain counts as its base.
Rank #2
- Mars in Motion – A Realistic Look at the Red Planet - Golden-red surface tones with volcanic ridges and weathered terrain bring Mars to life. An inspiring piece for space lovers and science fans alike.
- Self-Rotating Technology Powered by Light - MOVA’s patented design silently spins the globe using ambient light and the Earth’s magnetic field — no batteries or cords required.
- Premium Build with Seamless Movement - A fluid-suspended inner globe rotates within a clear acrylic outer shell, offering a smooth, almost magical visual experience.
- Perfectly Sized for Personal Spaces - Measuring 4.5 inches in diameter (about softball size), it fits beautifully on desks, shelves, and side tables as a compact cosmic accent.
- Gift-Worthy for Dreamers and Thinkers - A thoughtful present for science enthusiasts, educators, students, and anyone fascinated by space. MOVA Globes spark imagination and lasting conversations.
The choice of baseline matters on Earth, too. NASA’s Mars Odyssey page compares Olympus Mons with Mauna Loa and describes the Hawaiian volcano as 9 km (5.5 miles) tall when measured from its base on the sea floor. That total relief is greater than a measurement taken only from sea level to Mauna Loa’s summit; the same general distinction helps explain why Olympus Mons’s base-to-summit height differs from its elevation above a datum.
Is anything else in the Solar System nearly as high?
NASA describes the central mountain in Vesta’s Rheasilvia basin as “the second tallest mountain in the solar system” and “nearly as high as Mars’ Olympus Mons.” The cited Dawn mission highlights do not provide a matched measurement method for the two features, so the comparison supports a qualitative ranking, not a precise height difference.
Rank #3
- Globe Diameter : 24cm / 9.5"
- Item Size : 9.5"D X 14"H X 10"W / D 24cm X H 36cm X W 26cm / Diameter X Height X Width
- Shipping Size : 52cm X 34cm X 26cm / 20.5"L X 13.4"H X 10.2"W / Length X Height X Width
- Explorer Gray Moon/Red Mars 2 Globe Set, 24cm/9.5"
- Color : Moon Globe - Gray / Mars Globe - Red
For any “highest mountain” comparison, check three things: the reference level (local terrain, planetary datum, or sea level), the boundary used to define the feature, and whether the number is a survey measurement or a rounded summary. Olympus Mons is widely identified as the Solar System’s highest mountain under the familiar base-to-summit framing, but the cited summaries do not establish a single standardized measurement method for ranking every topographic peak across planets and small bodies.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Globe Diameter : 24cm/9.5"
- Item Size : D 24cm X H 36cm X W 26cm / 9.5""D X 14""H X 10""W / Diameter X Height X Width
- Illuminated : Yes (LED Light Blub DC 5V, USB Cable Type-A(4-Pin) is included.)
- Attention !!! : Charger(Wall adapter) is not included. Enable mobile phone charger.
- The lighting of this globe is not bright with subdued lighting.
How to state the answer accurately
- For the familiar headline figure, say “more than 40 km from base to summit,” and attribute it to NASA.
- If using the just-over-20-km figure, call it elevation above the Martian datum at a summit-region location—not height above the volcano’s base.
- Keep “largest volcano” distinct from “highest mountain”: NASA identifies Olympus Mons as the Solar System’s largest volcano, while the height claim depends on the measurement convention.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
