Orcus Patera on Mars in 3D

Orcus Patera is an enigmatic elliptical depression located between the volcanoes of Elysium Mons and Olympus Mons. This well-defined depression extends approximately 380 km by 140 km in a NNE––SSW direction. It has a rim that rises up to 1800 m above the surrounding plains, while the floor of the depression lies 400–600 m below the surroundings. ESA’s Mars Express obtained image data of this region on 5 and 11 October 2005 using the High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The data were acquired during orbits 2216 and 2238 and with a ground resolution of approximately 30 m per pixel. Combining data from the nadir channel and one stereo channel of HRSC produced this 3D image. Stereoscopic glasses are required to see the 3D effect.