Morphology of four classes of volcanoes in the Eridania region. Typical examples of a volcanic dome (a), stratovolcano (b), pyroclastic shield (c), and caldera complex (d) are shown with draped MOLA/HRSC elevation data on data from Mars Context Imager. e, the topographic profiles of each feature represent the SW–NE profile lines at each site. Scale bars, 5 km. Credit: Natural astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-023-02191-7
A small international team of Earth scientists, geologists and astronomers conducted a study of the morphology and mineralogy of Mars and found that the planet may have experienced volcanism and recycling of the Earth’s crust during of his formative years. For their research, published in the journal Natural astronomyThe group analyzed a particular region of the Red Planet known to host inactive volcanoes.
Probes sent to Mars have revealed that the planet is almost devoid of volcanic activity or recycling of the Earth’s crust, making it stable, geologically speaking, although it is clear that it has had running water recently enough for evidence to be visible on the planet’s surface. In this new effort, the research team wanted to know if Mars might have been more geologically active during its early years. They focused their efforts on the Eridania region, which is home to remnants of ancient Martian crust and several volcanic structures.
By studying data from several Martian probes, they discovered 63 volcanic structures that had not been identified before, all old enough to allow the research team to look back in time. They divided the structures into four broad categories: those featuring volcanic domes, stratovolcanoes, pyroclastic shields and caldera complexes.
They found that the geography of the region suggested that the planet had gone through an active volcanic period with an associated crustal cycle around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago. They say crustal recycling was likely due to vertical tectonics, which previous research suggests tended to be precursors to plate tectonics, similar to that experienced on Earth.
The researchers point out that until now, plate tectonics has not been detected on any other planet in the solar system. Their analysis also showed evidence of some volcanic activity occurring underwater, raising the possibility of emerging life, which would die out as the planet lost its atmosphere.
More information:
Joseph R. Michalski et al, Diversified volcanism and crustal recycling in early Mars, Natural astronomy (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-023-02191-7
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