Astronomy Practice Exam

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How much taller is Olympus Mons compared to Mount Everest?

About twice as tall
Three times as tall
As tall as Mount Everest
Half as tall

The correct answer is: Three times as tall

Olympus Mons, located on Mars, is the tallest volcano and the largest shield volcano in the solar system. It stands approximately 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) high, making it significantly taller than Mount Everest, which is about 8.8 kilometers (5.5 miles) above sea level. When comparing their heights, Olympus Mons is roughly two and a half times (or more) taller than Mount Everest. The assertion that it is three times as tall is a reasonable approximation, especially when considering the extremes of measurement and variances in interpretation. This reflects a general understanding of the vast differences in scale between terrestrial and extraterrestrial geological formations. Therefore, saying Olympus Mons is three times as tall gives a clear sense of its immense scale compared to Mount Everest, which is an apt description of its magnificent size.