A sensational discovery by scientists as part of their study of Elysium Planitia on Mars calls into question the idea of the Red Planet as a geologically dead object. The study, published in the journal JGR Planets, points to signs of relatively recent volcanic activity, suggesting that Mars may not be as “dead” as long thought.
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On Earth, the movement of lithospheric plates supports volcanic activity, changing the shape of the surface. However, there is no such movement on Mars, which has led to the opinion that it is geologically inactive. However, new data shows that unexpected processes are occurring beneath the surface, and volcanic activity may have occurred even in the recent past.
The study was carried out using satellite imagery and ground penetrating radar on the plain of the Elysium Planitia. The volcanic manifestation discovered by scientists can be traced over the last 120 million years, which is much later than expected. Some areas of the surface formed by lava flows turned out to be surprisingly young.
According to scientists, some landscape features indicate lava interacting with water ice or liquid water, causing eruptions of water vapor. This becomes an important element given that on Earth, hot springs associated with volcanic activity are often habitats for microbes. Therefore, extraterrestrial life could also arise in these areas of Mars.
Researchers have been able to reconstruct the history of recent volcanic eruptions on Mars. The Elysium Planitia appears to be replete with material ejected by more than 40 eruptions over the past 120 million years. Some were on a gigantic scale, releasing thousands of cubic kilometers of molten rock.
Scientists suggest that volcanic activity on Mars may continue today, and traces of it simply have not yet been discovered. This discovery radically changes our understanding of the history of the Red Planet and what may lie beneath its surface.
Additionally, understanding the past movement of water on Mars and its current distribution appears to be a key issue. Given that Elysium Planitia is located in the equatorial region, the idea of water below the surface becomes an important element for future missions to the Red Planet, given the possibility of water ice deposits at shallow depths.
Earlier, Cursor reported that scientists had detected mysterious signals from space.
