Why are Martian volcanoes larger than volcanoes on Earth?
2 Answers
Surface gravity is less on Mars.
Explanation:
The Surface gravity on Mars is about 0..38 times that of earth.Large surface gravity mountains/.volcanoes will collapse under its own weight..
Mars has bigger volcanos because it doesn't have plate tectonics.
Explanation:
Volcanos are formed when a plume of magma pushes up the crust and then erupts through it.
On Earth, the crust is in constant motion due to plate tectonics. The area over a magma hot spot moves and isn't over it for long in geological terms.
An example of this is Hawaii. Each of the islands is or was a volcano which formed over a magma hot spot.
Mars has no plate tectonics. If a magma hot spot forms a volcano it will stay over it. Over time the volcano just gets bigger. Martian volcanos are classic shield volcanos formed from many eruptions of quite runny lava.
