Alba Mons ( formerly known as Alba Patera , a term that has since been restricted to the volcano 's summit caldera ) is an immense , low-lying volcano located in the northern Tharsis region of the planet Mars . Tharsis is a vast volcanic plateau centered near the equator in the western hemisphere of Mars . The region is home to the largest volcanoes in the Solar System , including the three enormous shield volcanoes Arsia Mons , Pavonis Mons , and Ascraeus Mons , which are collectively known as the Tharsis Montes .
The Tharsis region is nowhere close to Mars.