It is possible to show the topographic profile along a path on Mars. This is a very convenient feature which even adds some statistical properties such as average slope, max slope, max height etc. Unfortunately there is a bug in the code.
To illustrate the bug do as follows:
Go to Google Earth and switch to Mars
Click the ruler button and choose "path".
Define a path across the surface of Mars. Two points on opposite sides of Olympus Mons would be an interesting place to show.
Once you hit show topographic profile you will immediately see the profile across Olympus Mons - but only for a second or so. After a second the profile is replaced with a completely different (and useless) profile.
If you grab one of the icons at the end of the profile and move it slowly around, you will revert to the Olympus Mons for as long as want. If you stop moving the end point you again revert to the useless profile.
It turns out that the "useless" profile is not completely useless. It is a topographical profile across the Earth between the two corresponding coordinates chosen on opposite sides of Olympus Mons.
The attachement shows a topographic profile across 27 59' N 86 55,3' E
This is a relatively flat area on Mars - but on Earth it cuts across Mount Everest.
Does anyone know how to ask Google to fix the issue?
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