The Tharsis region of Mars was most likely formed
A) from sediment that piled up due to past water erosion
B) by plate tectonics
C) by a plume of molten mantle material rising to the surface forming a giant bulge in the Martian crust
D) from compressions in the Martian crust as the planet cooled and contracted

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Tharsis region of Mars is a giant volcanic plateau and is believed to have been formed by a plume of molten mantle material rising to the surface of Mars, causing a giant bulge in the planet's crust. This plume of magma is thought to have been active for hundreds of millions of years, resulting in the vast volcanic plateau that we see today. There is no evidence to suggest that Tharsis was formed by sediment accumulation or plate tectonics, and while some deformation likely occurred as Mars cooled and contracted, this is unlikely to have been the primary cause of Tharsis' formation.

The Tharsis Region of Mars Was Most Likely Formed