DOI: 10.34808/jtrz-qp43
title: Mars 3D Models: Pangboche, Karzok Craters and Olympus Mons Caldera (STL files, DEM files and description)

description: This dataset provides STL and DEM files for 3D printing physical models of key Martian features located in the Tharsis region: Pangboche and Karzok Craters, and the complex Olympus Mons Caldera. Data was derived from CTX stereopairs (MRO spacecraft), allowing for precise geometric control and high-quality topographical representation. Object: Crater Pangboche, Crater Karzok, and Olympus Mons Caldera on the planet Mars.
Location: Mars, Tharsis volcanic region, Olympus Mons volcano.
Equipment: Context Camera (CTX) on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Flight plan: Stereopair acquisition, achieved by tilting the MRO spacecraft (roll-off nadir) to image the same area from different angles during successive orbits
Target product: Physical 3D Model created using additive manufacturing. The STL file format was achieved via the DEMto3D plugin in QGIS.
Georeferencing: Yes. Geometric control is provided by the SPICE system (Spacecraft, Planet, Instrument, C-matrix, Events).
GCP: No. Ground Control Points were not explicitly used for relative orientation. Quality relies on internal triangulation statistics.
GCP Quality: Not Applicable (Quality assessed internally). The quality is measured by the Triangulation Error. The median error (Q2) for the highest-quality model (Karzok) was 16.9642 m
Camera Name: Context Camera (CTX)
Model type: Catadioptric (Schmidt-type telescope)
Image dimensions: Detector width: 5064 pixels (linear CCD array). The camera can acquire images longer than 160 km along the trajectory.
Sensor size: Pixel size is 7 µm.
Number of photos: 14 images were analyzed, forming 7 stereopairs (2 for Karzok, 2 for Pangboche, and 10 forming 5 models/stereopairs for Olympus Mons Caldera). This dataset offers Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and corresponding STL files for creating high-fidelity physical 3D models of three prominent geological features located in the Tharsis volcanic region of Mars: Pangboche Crater, Karzok Crater, and the Olympus Mons Caldera.
Context and Scientific SignificanceThe modeled features are crucial for planetary science:
Olympus Mons Caldera is a vast, complex collapse structure (approx. 85 km diameter, 3.2 km deep) representing the heart of the Solar System's largest volcano. Its layered segments reflect distinct episodes of magma chamber collapse and eruption cycles spanning approximately 200 million years.
Pangboche (10 km diameter) and Karzok (15.6 km diameter) are relatively young, complex impact craters (less than 240 million years old) located on the slopes of Olympus Mons. They are key research targets, particularly Karzok, which is suspected to be a source area for Shergottite Martian meteorites found on Earth.
Technical Methodology and Dataset ContentThe models were generated using photogrammetric processing of high-resolution images acquired by the Context Camera (CTX) onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft. Data acquisition relied on the stereopair method, achieved by utilizing the MRO's "roll-off nadir" capability to image the same target from different orbits and angles.
The geometric control for the DEMs is provided by the SPICE system. The final models are characterized by a high degree of precision, with a median triangulation error (Q2) of 16.9642 m for the Karzok model.
The dataset includes:
TIF files (8 files): DEMs for the three features (1 x Pangboche, 1 x Karzok, 5 x Caldera segments + 1 merged Caldera).
STL files (3 files): Ready-to-use mesh files for additive manufacturing (3D printing) of the Pangboche, Karzok  (scale 1:200,000), and Caldera models.
This material supports the field of planetary geodesy and can be used for research, visualization, and educational purposes.