Ahuna Mons is the highest mountain on Ceres. A unique complex in terms o
f size, shape, and morphology, Ahuna is bordered by
flanks o
f the talus around its summit. Recent work by Ruesch et al. (
f="#grl55370-bib-0028" rel="references:#grl55370-bib-0028" class="link__reference js-link__reference" title="Link to bibliographic citation">2016) based on Dawn's Framing Camera images shed light on the possible origin o
f Ahuna Mons. According to Ruesch et al. (2016), Ahuna Mons is
formed by a volcanic process involving the ascent o
f cryomagma and extrusion onto the sur
face
followed by dome development and subsequent spreading. Here we analyzed in detail the composition o
f Ahuna Mons, using data acquired by the visible and in
frared spectrometer aboard Dawn. The spectral analysis reveals a relatively high abundance o
f carbonates and a nonhomogeneous variation in carbonate composition and abundance along Ahuna's
flanks, associated with a lower amount o
f the Ceres's ubiquitous NH
4-phyllosilicates over a large portion o
f the
flanks. The grain size is coarser on the
flanks than in the surrounding regions, suggesting the presence o
f fresher material, also compatible with a larger abundance o
f carbonates. Thermal variations are seen in Ahuna, supporting the evidence o
f di
fferent compactness o
f the sur
face regolith in speci
fic locations. Results o
f the spectral analysis are consistent with a possible cryovolcanic origin which exposed
fresher material that slid down on the
flanks.