Question

several objects in the solar system have volcanoes on their surfaces. the table below summarizes the tallest volcano on several different celestial bodies.
volcanoes of the solar system

volcano

height (km)

name of planet or moon

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caloris montes

3.0

mercury

maat mons

4.9

venus

mauna kea

10.2

earth

olympus mons

21.9

mars

unnamed volcano

2.5

io

which of the following statements about the above data is true?

a. the tallest volcano on io is less then half the height of the tallest volcano on mercury.
b. the tallest volcano in the solar system is mauna kea at about 10.2 km.
c. the tallest volcano on earth is less then half the height of the tallest volcano on mars.
d. the unnamed volcano on io is the same height as maat mons on venus.

Explanation:

1. Analyze Option A: Half of Mercury's volcano height is $\frac{3.0}{2}=1.5$ km. Io's volcano is 2.5 km, which is greater than 1.5 km, so A is false.
2. Analyze Option B: Olympus Mons (21.9 km) is taller than Mauna Kea (10.2 km), so B is false.
3. Analyze Option C: Half of Mars' volcano height is $\frac{21.9}{2}=10.95$ km. Earth's Mauna Kea is 10.2 km, which is less than 10.95 km, so C is true.
4. Analyze Option D: Io's unnamed volcano is 2.5 km, Maat Mons is 4.9 km, which are not equal, so D is false.

Answer:

C. The tallest volcano on Earth is less then half the height of the tallest volcano on Mars.