Massive Hidden Mantle Plume on Mars Is Driving Intense Volcanic and Seismic Activity on the Red Planet

Orbital observations helped scientists to identify the culprit behind signs of volcanic activity on Mars. In the study, titled "Geophysical Evidence for an Active Mantle Plume Underneath Elysium Planitia on Mars" published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists from the University of Arizona report the discovery of an enormous mantle plume that pushes the surface upward and causes earthquakes.

Postdoctoral research associate Adrien Broquet, the co-author of the study, explained that their findings present multiple lines of evidence that show the presence of a giant active mantle plume on today's Mars.

Mars is Not Dead

Beneath the broad Elysium Planitia, a 2,500-mile (4,000-kilometer) wide convection plume in the Martian mantle could be driving the molten magma up the surface and causing volcanic and seismic activity, Science Alert reported. This is evidence that points to Mars as not being dead.

Planetary geophysicist Broquet and his co-author Jeffrey Andrews-Hanna wrote in their study that the results demonstrate that the Martian interior is dynamically active today. That implies volcanism has been driven by mantle plumes from the formation of the Hesperian volcanic provinces as well as Tharsis or the Elysium Planitia today.

Mars is a relatively old surface and has shown convincing signs before of being lifeless inside and out. The lack of a global magnetic field was considered a reason why the planet was a motionless rock all the way to its core. However, recent observations have debunked the notion of a dead Mars.

A Martian rock that has made its way to Earth was analyzed in which it showed signs of mantle convection. then satellite photos also revealed evidence of volcanic surface deposits as young as 50,000 years old in the Cerberus Fossae. More so, the Mars InSight lander, which has been monitoring the Red Planet since 2018, revealed ongoing seismic activity consistent with volcanism.

There have been more odd observations in the past years, which point to Mars being an alive planet. For example, the gravity on the Elysium Planitia is unusually strong and is consistent with some sort of subsurface activity. Researchers studied the Martian topography, gravity, geology, and seismic data and found that a mantle plume ticks all the boxes.

Third Planet to Have Mantle Plumes

According to Space.com, the findings suggest that Mars is the third planet in the Solar System with confirmed active mantle plumes, after Earth and Venus. Broquet said that they initially thought the InSight lander landed on one of the most geologically boring regions on Mars since it is a nice flat surface. Instead, their study showed that it is on top of an active plume head.

Researchers said that the findings may also have implications in the search for life on Mars. The area where the mantle plume was discovered has the most recent evidence of liquid water flowing on the Martian surface. Since water is usually linked to life, scientists often focus on the search for extraterrestrial life in areas where there is liquid water.

Water ice is thought to be present on Mars' subsurface. So, if the mantle plume is providing heat, then liquid water pockets or aquifers could be present next to magma chambers near the crust of Elysium Planitia. Although, it is still a mystery how a mantle plume might have formed on the Martian surface.

Check out more news and information on Mars in Science Times.