An Earth-like Planet Next Door May Still Be Alive.
According to Science Alert, the intriguing planet that resides next to us – Mars – has recently revealed strange signs indicating that it is still experiencing geological activity with hot magma flows and bubbling underground volcanoes.
Discovering geological activity on another world is considered a “treasure” because it is one of the essential conditions for that world to continue functioning and evolving, while also contributing to the stability of many planetary factors necessary to sustain life. Mars is one of the focal points for missions searching for signs of life.
Cerberus Fossae Region on Mars – (Photo: NASA)
A new research team led by ETH Zurich in Switzerland has studied an intriguing area known as Cerberus Fossae, utilizing data collected by NASA’s InSight lander.
InSight is equipped with sensitive seismographic instruments, and according to previous statements from NASA, it has detected that Mars is still “rumbling” and “growling.”
The new study suggests that this eerie growling – significant seismic activity – is evidence of an underground volcano that is still bubbling with magma beneath the surface. This implies that inside Mars, there remains a hot, functioning world, much like our Earth!
This finding challenges the long-held belief that, aside from Earth, other planets in the Solar System have “died,” ceasing geological activity and therefore failing to support life.
The notion that Mars is “dead” also stems from its very thin atmosphere, while geological activity is what helps maintain a planet’s magnetic field.
The Swiss research team also noted that seismic waves in this area indicate a warm source located 30 to 50 kilometers beneath the surface. The data suggests compatibility with molten magma, indicating that volcanic activity may still exist today.
Clearer and more accessible evidence also identifies traces of an eruption that has occurred within the last 50,000 years.
This discovery is invaluable. Firstly, while it does not prove that Mars is constantly active, it at least shows that this planet has had vibrant internal activity in the recent past, with a strong possibility that it continues to this day – meaning it could potentially “revive” despite having periods of silence in its 4.5 billion-year history.
Secondly, if there is magma present, it raises the possibility of liquid, pristine lakes existing beneath the planet’s surface.
Signs of liquid water on Mars have appeared multiple times, bringing hope for potential life, but also sparking debate. Mars is very cold, so these lakes would either need to be heated or contain so much salt that they do not freeze, making them extremely challenging for life to thrive. However, if magma is present, it could sufficiently warm the surrounding underground lakes and resolve these issues.
Scientists continue to study this area and propose that it should be a target for appropriate landing missions in the future.
The research has just been published in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy.
