Page "Olympus Mons" Paragraph 18
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Wikipedia
Olympus Mons is asymmetrical structurally as well as topographically.
The longer, more shallow northwestern flank displays extensional features, such as large slumps and normal faults.
In contrast, the volcano's steeper southeastern side has features indicating compression.
They include step-like terraces in the volcano's mid-flank region ( interpreted as thrust faults ) and a number of wrinkle ridges located at the basal escarpment.
Why opposite sides of the mountain should show different styles of deformation is puzzling.
The answer may lie in understanding how large shield volcanoes grow laterally and on how variations within the substrate of the volcano affect the final shape of the mountain.
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