Volcanoes on Mars Could Still be Active, New Study Suggests

Volcanoes on Mars Could Still be Active, New Study Suggests

IGN·2021-05-18 22:00

Scientists have uncovered a relatively recent history of volcanic activity on Mars, which could suggest that the Red Planet is still volcanically active.CNN shared the findings of the study, published in the journal Icarus, pointing to evidence that eruptions could have taken place on Mars within the last 50,000 years. Up until now, scientists believed that the planet was volcanically active between 3 and 4 billion years ago, with some isolated eruptions likely continuing about 3 million years ago, so this new time span is much more recent than records indicate.The research team at the Planetary Science Institute found evidence of recent volcanic activity on Mars after studying imagery and data obtained from orbiters circling the planet. They discovered what appears to be a recent explosive volcanic deposit around a fissure in the Cerberus Fossae system  which extends across a broad plain in the region of Elysium Planitia, located near the equator of Mars.Image credit: NASA/JPL/MSSS/The Murray LabThe image shows a dark area extending eight miles around both sides of the crack and scientists believe that this shadowed stretch matches that of a pyroclastic flow, produced as a result of certain explosive eruptions that occur when rapidly expanding gases bubble over with magma. If correct, then scientists may have just discovered the youngest volcanic deposit yet documented on Mars."This feature overlies the surrounding lava flows and appears to be a relatively fresh and thin deposit of ash and rock, representing a different style of eruption than previously identified pyroclastic features," said Dr. David Horvath. "This eruption could have spewed ash as high as 6 miles into Mars' atmosphere. It is possible that these sorts of deposits were more common but have been eroded or buried.""When we first noticed this deposit, we knew it was something special," added study coauthor Jeff Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor at the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. "The deposit was unlike anything else found in the region, or indeed on all of Mars, and more closely resembled features created by older volcanic eruptions on the Moon and Mercury."Scientists also believe that volcanic deposits such as the one recently documented could raise the possibility of recent habitable conditions below the surface of Mars, with Horvath suggesting that, "the interaction of ascending magma and the icy substrate of this region could have provided favorable conditions for microbial life fairly recently and raises the possibility of extant life in this region."The site of the volcanic deposit is located approx. 1,000 miles from NASA's InSight lander, which has been exploring the deep interior of our terrestrial neighbor since 2018. It isn't the only vehicle traversing the Red Planet either, having most recently been joined by NASA's Perseverance rover. The rover successfully landed on Mars' Jezero Crater in February of this year to begin its own mission.Perseverance is not only equipped with a microphone to let NASA and the world know what it sounds like on Mars, it's also equipped with a special drill that will collect core samples of rocks and soil to eventually come back to Earth. The Ingenuity helicopter also hitched a ride with the robotic explorer to attempt the first powered, controlled flight on another planet.The Ingenuity helicopter successfully executed its flight on Mars on April 19, with data showing that it had taken off, ascended to around 10ft (three meters) above the surface of Mars, and landed again. NASA says the aircraft has now transitioned to the operations demonstration phase of its mission to explore how future rovers and aerial explorers can work together.Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.

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