Mountains are present not only on Earth but also on other planets within our Solar System, their moons, and even on large asteroids. Presented herein are the twelve highest peaks accessible for ascent, should unrestricted travel across these celestial bodies be possible.
The highest mountains
Have you ever aspired to ascend to great heights and observe the world from an elevated vantage point? Mountain climbing provides that opportunity. Additionally, mountains are present on other celestial bodies within the Solar System.
Ultimately, the majority of the highest peaks within the Solar System are not situated on our planet. It is pertinent to acknowledge, however, that the concept of “height” in geographical terms can be interpreted in various manners. A distinction is recognized between the absolute height of a mountain — defined as the difference between its base and its summit — and the relative height, which is measured from a designated zero level established for that particular celestial body.
Let us discuss the twelve most prominent mountains within the Solar System.
1. Olympus Mons
Undoubtedly, Olympus Mons on Mars is the tallest mountain in the Solar System. Its relative height measures 26 kilometers, while its absolute height reaches 21.4 kilometers. This indicates that this monumental peak is nearly three times taller than Mount Everest.
The volcano is situated on the Tharsis Plateau and appears to have been inactive for an extended period. Its prominence is not limited to its height alone. The diameter of the Olympus crater measures 85 km, with a depth of 3 km. The mountain itself spans a diameter of 300 km. Furthermore, the slope at the upper section is sufficiently gentle to give the impression of standing on a plain. Nonetheless, there are cliffs along the perimeter that ascend to several thousand meters in height.
2. Rheasilvia
Astronomers continue to deliberate whether to categorize Vesta as a dwarf planet or an asteroid. One certainty is that the Rheasilvia crater, named after the mythological mother of the god Jupiter, is truly stunning. With a diameter exceeding 500 km, it is comparable to the overall size of the celestial body. This crater was formed by an ancient collision with a significantly large object.
At the core of Rheasilvia, akin to numerous other comparable formations, lies an impact-origin mountain. Its relative elevation measures approximately 22 km, while its absolute elevation is 9 km, and its diameter extends to roughly 180 km.
3. Equatorial ridge on Iapetus
The third-highest peak in the Solar System is situated on Saturn’s moon Iapetus. However, it cannot be classified as a single mountain; rather, it is an extensive mountain range extending along the equator of this comparatively small celestial body. Its approximate height measures 20 km.
For scientists, the equatorial ridge on Iapetus persists as an enigma, with no consensus on its formation. Presently, at least four hypotheses exist to elucidate its origin. According to the initial hypothesis, Iapetus formed in its early stages and remained in a molten state for a prolonged period. The ridge itself is postulated to comprise solidified deposits of material that ascended from its interior and gradually hardened.
According to the second hypothesis, the equatorial ridge on Iapetus originated from material derived from the ring that previously encircled the moon, subsequently falling onto its surface. The third hypothesis also associates its formation with the ring but proposes that the ring developed after Iapetus had already experienced a collision with a substantial celestial body. The fourth hypothesis attributes the formation of this geological feature to the instability of subsurface layers in the region, which led to the overturning of the crust and its near-vertical orientation.
4. Boösaule Montes
Another prominent mountain is situated on Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io. Its relative elevation measures 18.2 km, while its absolute elevation is 17.5 km. This mountain is part of the Boösaule Montes range, which comprises several large, fractured segments of the crust.
Indeed, Boösaule Montes is the most prominent among them, having solidified at an angle relative to the surrounding surface and forming a colossal peak along with a cliff. The cliff reaches a height of 15 km.
5. Ascraeus Mons
To observe the subsequent peak, a return to Mars is necessary. Ascraeus Mons is another dormant volcano situated in the Tharsis region. It closely resembles a smaller version of Olympus Mons and is positioned southeast of it.
What renders this feature particularly intriguing is that, unlike all preceding instances, its absolute height is less than its relative height. The absolute elevation measures 14.9 km, whereas the relative elevation is 18 km. This phenomenon occurs because the volcano is situated on a substantial plateau, along with two other volcanoes.
6. Pavonis Mons
Another Martian volcano, situated on the Tharsis Plateau in close proximity to Ascraeus Mons, is designated as Pavonis Mons. The summit’s elevation above the surface of Mars is precisely 14 kilometers. This mountain is noteworthy for its nearly equatorial position on Mars. This geographical attribute, together with its considerable height, renders it a suitable site for the construction of a space elevator.
7. Ionian Mons
Ionian Mons on Jupiter’s moon Io has an absolute elevation of 12.7 kilometers. It represents another feature resulting from tectonic activity. The formation comprises two warped ridges running parallel to one another.
8. Elysium
Elysium is another extinct volcano on Mars. However, it is situated in a different hemisphere of the planet compared to the Tharsis Plateau. Its relative height is 12.6 km, and its absolute height is 16 km.
9. Arsia Mons
The third volcano in this Martian region, situated near Ascraeus Mons and Pavonis Mons, is designated as Arsia Mons. Its absolute elevation measures 19 km, with a relative height of 11.7 km.
10. Euboea
Another mountain on Io is Euboea. It has an absolute height of 10.5 km and a diameter of 275 km. The leading theory regarding its formation is that it is the largest landslide in the entire Solar System.
11. Mauna Kea
The sole mountain on Earth to be included in the list is not Everest. It is only considered the tallest when measured from sea level. However, if measuring from the base, the tallest mountain is Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Its height is 10.2 kilometers, although nearly 6 kilometers of that height are submerged underwater.
12. Verona Rupes
Completing the list is Verona Rupes on Uranus’s moon Miranda. This diminutive celestial body appears as an irregular ice sphere. Its surface exhibits numerous landforms that appear disproportionately large relative to the size of the Moon.
Nevertheless, Verona Rupes exceeds all other formations in scale. It stands approximately 10–15 km in height. Coupled with its exceedingly weak gravitational attraction, this renders it the location where an individual could experience the longest fall among all known celestial objects within the Solar System.
