Аннотация:The Tharsis volcanic dome-type rise, about 6000 km in diameter, is located in the near-equatorial zone of the western hemisphere of Mars. Three principal models of its structure and origin have been developed, to wit: 1) that it consists of around 10 km-thick cover of volcanic rocks, which rests on ancient crust that sagged beneath the weight of these volcanics; 2) that the rise even now has a dynamic support, with a large mantle hot spot beneath it; and 3) that the rise has thick ’mountain roots’, possibly formed by basaltic intrusions. Harmonic analysis of its topography was employed to find the most realistic model. Geological models 1 and 2 of the Tharsis Rise that postulate a liquid asthenosphere were found unrealistic because the shear values that follow from them appear greater than the assumed strength of the Martian crust. Basing from the current knowledge on its evolution and assuming the possibility of underplating of the crust on this rise, a model of Tharsis Rise evolution comprising of three main stages is presented.