Pavonis Mons (
Latin for "
peacock mountain") is a large
shield volcano located in the
Tharsis region of the planet
Mars. It is the middle member of a chain of three volcanic mountains (collectively known as the
Tharsis Montes) that straddle the Martian equator between longitudes 235°E and 259°E. The volcano was discovered by the
Mariner 9 spacecraft in 1971 and was originally called Middle Spot. Its name formally became Pavonis Mons in 1973.