Mars May Not Be So Lifeless After All: Recent Evidence Suggests Active Volcanic Activity Beneath Its Surface

Recent satellite and radar data challenge the perception of a cold, lifeless Mars, revealing unexpected volcanic activity and suggesting a more dynamic planet beneath the barren surface.

Recent Volcanic Activity Unveiled in Mars's Elysium Planitia

In the study, titled "Revealing Elysium Planitia's Young Geologic History: Constraints on Lava Emplacement, Areas, and Volumes" published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, researchers delves into volcanic activity in the Elysium Planitia on Mars, unveiling eruptions within the last 120 million years, with some as recent as 1 million years ago. While no current eruptions are observed, it hints at ongoing volcanic processes beneath Mars's surface.

Planetary scientist Joana Voigt from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory notes that Elysium Planitia, previously underestimated in volcanic activity, might still be volcanically active.

Intriguingly young lava flows on Mars's surface challenge scientists' understanding, alongside features indicating lava interacting with ice or liquid water, akin to thriving microbial environments in terrestrial landscapes with hot geological activity and water.

Recognizing parallels between Earth and Mars, scientists speculate on the potential emergence of life in Martian landscapes. To comprehend the region's volcanic history, researchers integrate data from diverse instruments, including topographic maps, satellite imagery, and ground-penetrating radar, providing insights into the link between surface features and underlying volcanic dynamics in Elysium Planitia.

3D Mapping Reveals Dynamic Geologic History of the Red Planet

The survey meticulously mapped and reconstructed each lava flow in Mars's Elysium Planitia in 3D, unveiling a landscape shaped by over 40 volcanic events spanning from 120 million to 1 million years ago. Monumental eruptions, such as the flooding of Rahway Valles with 16,000 cubic kilometers of molten basalt, showcased the region's dynamic geological history.

Despite Mars's current arid appearance, the study suggests that vents releasing lava could have simultaneously unleashed catastrophic floods of groundwater, creating explosive events akin to those fueled by steam on Earth.

In the Martian landscape, cracks in the crust could allow water to surface, evaporating due to the low atmospheric pressure. However, substantial water flow during this period could result in massive floods, shaping the terrain dramatically. The study posits that the vents responsible for lava flows in Elysium Planitia might have played a role in carving out the region's distinctive features.

Previous studies uncovered volcanic features on Elysium Planitia's surface, potentially as recent as 50,000 years ago. Seismic data from the Mars InSight lander linked considerable quake activity to volcanism.

The recent findings not only enhance comprehension of Mars's volcanic history but also propose the existence of significant underground water ice deposits in Elysium Planitia. This implies potential ongoing volcanic activity.

Highlighting the significance of Elysium Planitia, the researchers emphasize that the young volcanic surfaces and recent seismic activity may indicate Mars's continued volcanic activity. The region plays a crucial role in unraveling Mars's past and present volcanological, magmatic, and aqueous dynamics.