Map of Mars – Craters, Olympus Mons, Canyons & Rover Sites
Map of Mars - Craters, Olympus Mons, Canyons and Rover Landing Sites
Explore the surface of Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun. This guide explains its largest volcanoes, canyons, impact basins, ancient river valleys and famous robotic landing sites. Use the information below to understand what you are looking at on a map of the Red Planet.
Quick answer: What does a map of Mars show?
A Mars map shows surface features including Olympus Mons, the enormous Valles Marineris canyon system, Hellas Planitia, ancient water-shaped terrain and robotic exploration sites such as Jezero Crater and Gale Crater. Orbital imagery and elevation maps help scientists study the planet's history.
Interactive Map of Mars
NASA Mars Trek is an interactive planetary mapping tool that lets users browse Mars imagery, explore surface features and switch between available map layers, including terrain and elevation data.
NASA Mars Trek - Explore the Red Planet
Open a map of Mars and examine craters, volcanoes, canyons and other features.
Explore the Mars mapThis external research viewer may use imagery collected on different dates. It is not a real-time surface camera.
How to Read a Mars Map
- Find the equator: Use latitude and longitude to orient yourself and locate planetary features.
- Switch the map layer: Colour imagery and elevation maps reveal different aspects of the surface.
- Look for large landforms: Identify volcanoes, impact basins, canyons, plains and polar regions.
- Locate exploration sites: Look for named craters and plains associated with landers and rovers.
- Check map scale: Large geological features on Mars may span hundreds or thousands of kilometres.
Map reading tip: Mars has no oceans defining a sea level. Planetary elevation is commonly measured relative to a reference surface known as an areoid, rather than Earth's sea-level system.
Mars Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Approximate information |
|---|---|
| Position from the Sun | Fourth planet |
| Planet type | Rocky terrestrial planet |
| Diameter | About 6,780 km |
| Average distance from Sun | About 228 million km |
| One Martian day (sol) | About 24 hours 39 minutes |
| One Martian year | About 687 Earth days |
| Surface gravity | About 38% of Earth's |
| Atmosphere | Very thin, mostly carbon dioxide |
| Natural moons | Phobos and Deimos |
Major Surface Features on Mars
| Feature | Region and importance |
|---|---|
| Olympus Mons | Giant shield volcano in the western hemisphere, considered the largest known volcano in the Solar System. |
| Valles Marineris | Vast canyon network stretching roughly 4,000 km near the equator. |
| Tharsis region | Enormous volcanic rise with several giant shield volcanoes. |
| Hellas Planitia | Deep southern-hemisphere impact basin surrounded by high terrain. |
| Jezero Crater | Ancient lake-basin environment with a preserved delta; landing area of Perseverance. |
| Gale Crater | Home to Curiosity's exploration of sedimentary rocks and Mount Sharp. |
| Elysium Planitia | Broad volcanic plain and landing region of NASA's InSight lander. |
| Polar ice deposits | Northern and southern polar regions contain water ice and seasonal carbon dioxide frost. |
Olympus Mons - Mars' Giant Volcano
Olympus Mons is a vast shield volcano built by repeated lava flows. It stands far above the surrounding plains and has a broad, gently sloping profile. Mars lacks Earth-style active plate tectonics, which helped allow major volcanic edifices to build in place over long periods. Height estimates vary depending on the elevation reference and where the volcano's base is defined.
Valles Marineris - The Great Canyon System
Valles Marineris is a network of huge troughs and canyons extending for thousands of kilometres. Much of the system developed through tectonic stretching and collapse, with additional modification by landslides, erosion and other geological processes. It is not simply a river-cut canyon like the Grand Canyon.
Famous Mars Landing Sites
| Mission | Landing area | Landing year |
|---|---|---|
| Viking 1 | Chryse Planitia | 1976 |
| Viking 2 | Utopia Planitia | 1976 |
| Pathfinder / Sojourner | Ares Vallis region | 1997 |
| Spirit | Gusev Crater | 2004 |
| Opportunity | Meridiani Planum | 2004 |
| Curiosity | Gale Crater | 2012 |
| InSight | Elysium Planitia | 2018 |
| Perseverance / Ingenuity | Jezero Crater | 2021 |
| Tianwen-1 / Zhurong | Utopia Planitia | 2021 |
The table covers selected historic missions and landing sites, not a real-time account of mission operations.
Has Mars Ever Had Water?
Yes. Ancient river channels, lakebed sediments, deltas and minerals formed in water provide strong evidence that liquid water existed on the Martian surface in the distant past. Today, Mars has abundant water ice in polar and some subsurface locations. The thin atmosphere makes stable liquid water at the present surface difficult to maintain. Scientists continue investigating the planet's past habitability; evidence of ancient water is not proof of past life.
Why Is Mars Red?
Iron-bearing minerals in rocks and dust have undergone oxidation, creating reddish material that colours much of the landscape. Mars also has darker basaltic areas and lighter dust deposits. Orbital images can be displayed with enhanced colours to help scientists distinguish rock types and minerals.
Mars Weather, Seasons and Dust Storms
Mars has a tilted axis, giving it seasons. Because its orbit is more elliptical than Earth's, seasonal lengths and conditions differ between hemispheres. Surface temperatures vary greatly, and its thin carbon dioxide atmosphere can carry dust in local, regional and sometimes planet-encircling storms. Images and map layers may show different appearances depending on illumination and dust conditions.
Mars Compared with Earth
- Size: Mars is about half Earth's diameter.
- Day length: A Martian solar day is only around 39 minutes longer than an Earth day.
- Year: Mars takes almost 1.9 Earth years to orbit the Sun.
- Air: Mars has a much thinner atmosphere that humans cannot breathe.
- Water: Mars has ice and evidence of ancient liquid water, but no present-day oceans.
- Gravity: A person's weight would be lower on Mars, although their mass would be unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you explore a map of Mars online?
Yes. NASA Mars Trek provides interactive planetary imagery, terrain layers and geographic tools for exploring the Martian surface.
What is the largest volcano on Mars?
Olympus Mons is the largest known volcano on Mars and in the Solar System.
Where did Perseverance land?
NASA's Perseverance rover landed in Jezero Crater on 18 February 2021 to investigate an ancient lake and delta environment.
Where did Curiosity land?
Curiosity landed in Gale Crater in August 2012 and has investigated the geology and past environmental conditions there.
What is the biggest canyon on Mars?
Valles Marineris is a vast canyon network about 4,000 kilometres long.
Does Mars have oceans?
No modern surface oceans exist on Mars. Scientists are studying evidence that ancient Mars had substantial surface water, including lakes and possibly a northern ocean.
Does Mars have moons?
Yes. Its two small natural moons are Phobos and Deimos.
Are Mars maps updated in real time?
Generally not. Planetary maps use spacecraft observations collected at particular times and assembled into mosaics or scientific layers. New data may be incorporated as it becomes available.
Trusted Mars Map and Science Resources
- NASA Mars Trek - Interactive Mars map
- NASA Mars Facts - Planetary science
- NASA Mars Science - Missions and exploration
- European Space Agency - Mars Express
Related Fosmore Space Guides
Disclaimer
This page is for general educational and reference purposes. Martian maps, imagery, scientific measurements and interpretations may change as new observations become available. Map layers may represent different collection dates, resolutions and elevations. They are not suitable for spacecraft navigation, mission operations or safety-critical use. Verify specialist information with the relevant scientific institution. Fosmore is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA, ESA or other space agencies.