In a monumental discovery, scientists have unveiled massive, dense structures hidden beneath the surface of Mars, providing fresh insight into the planet’s geological history and hinting at ongoing internal activity. Presented at the Europlanet Science Congress 2024, this new revelation stems from a highly detailed gravity map of Mars, constructed using data from multiple missions, including NASA’s InSIGHT and satellite observations.
The findings challenge long-held beliefs about Mars’ geological processes, particularly around Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the Solar System. The map suggests that active processes within Mars’ mantle could be responsible for lifting the Tharsis volcanic region, contradicting the traditional concept of flexural isostasy—a principle that states the planet’s surface should sink under such massive weight.
A team led by Bart Root from the Delft University of Technology discovered not only the mantle plume suspected to be pushing Olympus Mons upwards but also dense, mysterious structures buried beneath Mars’ northern plains. These formations, which may have resulted from ancient impacts or volcanic activity, show no visible traces on the surface but were identified through gravity anomalies.
The significance of this discovery extends beyond current knowledge, as it opens the door to the possibility that Mars may still harbor active geological processes deep within its interior. Root’s team suggests that the anomalies could mark regions where Mars’ mantle remains active, possibly leading to volcanic activity in the future.
This discovery also fuels the call for a dedicated mission, dubbed the Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls) mission, to further investigate Mars’ subsurface. Utilizing advanced technology similar to Earth and Moon gravity mapping missions, MaQuls could provide the detailed data needed to unlock even more of Mars’ hidden secrets.
The implications of these findings are vast, reshaping our understanding of the Red Planet and its past, present, and potential future as an active world. Scientists believe this could revolutionize the study of planetary geology and offer deeper insights into Mars’ ability to sustain past, or even future, life.
Reference: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01511-4