Study Shows Active Geological and Volcanic Activity on Mars

Even though it is red, Mars is a very cold place. A 2019 paper found that internal heating may be needed to keep surface water from freezing.

Last year, there was another paper explaining how the Martian meteorite contained evidence of volcanic convection in the Martian mantle.

Now, using satellite data, a team of astronomers led by Horvath has found other clues.

A volcanic deposit on the Elysium Planitia, a broad, smooth plain north of the equator of Mars.

“This feature is a mysterious dark deposit, covering an area slightly larger than Washington DC. This feature has high thermal inertia, includes high calcium pyroxene rich material, and is symmetrically distributed around segments of the Cerberus Fossae fissure system in Elysium Planitia, atypical of aeolian, or wind-driven, sediment in the region, “explains Horvath.

“This feature is similar to the black spots on the Moon and Mercury are thought to be explosive volcanic eruptions.”

Most of the volcanic features on Mars’ surface originate from surface lava flows, not volcanic explosions, although the exact explosive volcanic features are not known.

The discovery could aid in planning future Mars missions by providing a location where evidence of life could be found.

Reporter: Paquita Gadin

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