Scientists discover 'noxious gas' coming out of Mars
Researchers say the gas points to magmatic seepage and possible hydrothermal niches that could support microbial life beneath the Martian surface.
- On Wednesday, research published in Science Advances revealed that the European Space Agency orbiter detected hydrogen chloride gas spikes near volcanic fissures on Alba Mons' northern flanks.
- Long considered geologically "dead," Mars shows new evidence suggesting dormancy rather than extinction; seismometers detected "marsquakes," and orbital imagery revealed fresh fissures indicating possible volcanic activity.
- Researchers identified that hot magma beneath the surface releases gases through fissures; blocked by ice during winter at minus 120 degrees Celsius, the fissures channel chloride release as ice sublimates in early summer.
- Professor Daniel Mège of the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences theorizes hydrothermal systems could create "hotspots" ideal for microbial life development and shield organisms from Mars' hostile surface.
- Although active eruptions remain unobserved, Alba Mons is now a critical exploration site for studying Mars' internal heat and potential habitable environments where microbial life could potentially exist.
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Researchers argue that the lateral fissures of the Alba Mons volcano could act as escape routes for gases from the subsoil
The huge volcanoes of Mars may not be completely inactive. Their heat can create hospitable pockets of moist water in the subsoil. The post Signs of volcanic activity recorded for the first time on Mars — Hopes for life are rekindled appeared first on in.gr.
The scientists have long suspected that Mars is a geologically "dead" planet, but new spatial observations seem to indicate the opposite. In a new study, an international research team reports having detected hydrogen chloride from faults located on the slopes of a Martian volcano. The researchers hypothesize that magmatic gases could escape from these cracks, like some fumoils on Earth. - The planet Mars is not (geologically) dead, its volcanoe…
Scientists discover 'noxious gas' seeping out of Mars
Scientists have found evidence that hydrogen chloride gas may be escaping from beneath the surface of Mars, raising the possibility that volcanic activity could still be taking place deep inside the Red Planet.
Thanks to a European probe, researchers have detected hydrogen chloride escaping faults on the slopes of a Martian volcano. This is the sign that Mars is still active under its surface, the geologist Daniel Mège assures. And an encouraging news for the search for past and even current extraterrestrial life.
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