Geomorphological and morphometric characteristics of the volcanic edifices along a volcanic alignment from Hecates Tholus to Sisyphi Tholus on Mars
Journal
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
Date Issued
2026-05
Author(s)
Leone, Giovanni
Verolino, Andrea
Grosse, Pablo
Abstract
We investigate the morphology and morphometry of 11 volcanic edifices of Mars along a similar to 11,000 km-long alignment, known as Alignment 2, defined in previous studies, which extends from Hecates Tholus in the NE (31.70 degrees N, 150.10 degrees E) to Sisyphi Tholus in the SW (75.68 degrees S, 18.54 degrees W). The studied volcanoes show diverse volumes and morphologies. Of the larger volcanoes, Hecates Tholus and Elysium Mons are conical and have relatively small summit calderas, Anseris Mons is also conical but lacks a caldera and is distinctly steeper and has a rougher topography, and Tyrrhenus Mons is characterized by its flat profile and irregular and dissected morphology. Several of the smaller volcanoes have domical or table-mountain shapes characterized by relatively large, circular and flat summit regions, although some summit regions contain small peaks and/or are elongated (e.g., Sisyphi Mons). Six edifices (Tyrrhenus Mons, Unnamed Mons 2, Unnamed Mons 3, Unnamed Mons 4, Sisyphi Mons, and Sisyphi Tholus) are low-composite volcanoes, two (Anseris Mons and Unnamed Mons 1) are relatively steep composite volcanoes, and three edifices (Hecates Tholus, Elysium Mons and Sisyphi Cavi) are intermediate. No low shields are found along Alignment 2. Four mostly unstudied and unnamed edifices (Unnamed Mons 1 to 4) show deposits that we interpret as lava flows, suggesting a volcanic origin. Some edifices, previously interpreted as products of subglacial and consequent explosive activity, could alternatively be explained as subaerial explosive formations, given the limited preservation of ice under a low-pressure atmosphere. Based on the estimated volumes of the studied volcanoes, the migrating mantle plume that has been postulated to have formed Alignment 2 had a peak in magmatism during the early/first stages of its migration, with the formation of Hecates Tholus, Elysium Mons and Tyrrhenus Mons, and a declining phase after the formation of Tyrrhenus Mons, towards the southwest.


