Ascraeus Mons is one of the largest volcanoes on Mars and is part of the Tharsis volcanic region. It stands about 18,000 meters (59,000 feet) high, making it nearly three times the height of Mount Everest. The volcano has a broad, gently sloping profile and features a large summit caldera, which is a depression formed after a volcanic eruption. The base of Ascraeus Mons spans approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) in diameter. Its surface is covered with lava flows and other volcanic materials, indicating a history of significant volcanic activity. Scientists study Ascraeus Mons to better understand the geological history of Mars and the processes that shaped its landscape.