This is a common feature at this time of the Martian year, when the Red Planet is at its farthest point from the Sun in its slightly elliptical orbit, the publication reports.

Arsia Mons, currently dormant and standing more than 20 kilometers tall, is a colossal volcano located near Mars’ equator, within the region known as Tharsis, and extending some 435 kilometers in diameter.

According to NASA, this area is usually surrounded by clouds of water ice, especially in the early morning.

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