Cracks discovered on the surface of Mars and hydrogen chloride gas detected in its atmosphere have raised new questions about the geological history of the Red Planet.
Scientists have revealed that the gas may originate from magmatic activities deep within the planet and that volcanic activity in the inner parts of Mars continued until the recent past and may even continue today.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, pointed out that Mars may not be as geologically inert as long thought.
The European Space Agency's (ESA) orbiter named ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter detected hydrogen chloride gas in the Martian atmosphere in 2021.
Since on Earth this gas may be associated with gases emitted from magmatic systems, scientists have evaluated that its presence on Mars may also be due to volcanic processes.
In the new research, evidence was obtained that there was enough heat in the interior of Mars to support subsurface volcanic activity until the recent geological past.
According to researchers, gases coming out of magma chambers deep within the planet may be reaching the surface using cracks in the earth's crust.
This possibility strengthened the idea that there may be volcanic systems on Mars that seem to have gone out today but remain active deep down.
THE LARGEST VOLCANOES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM ARE ON MARS
Mars is home to the largest known volcanoes in the Solar System. However, it is not yet known exactly how active these giant volcanoes are today.
Scientific instruments placed on the planet's surface detected tremors similar to earthquakes on Earth, called "Mars quakes."
These tremors provided important clues that activity was continuing in the internal structure of Mars.
However, scientists could not directly observe any volcanic eruptions or lava flows occurring on the planet today.
The new research focused on the possibility that volcanic activities may continue underground without leaving obvious traces on the surface.
Scientists stated that systems consisting of magma chambers and cracks in the earth's crust may enable the gases in the inner parts of the planet to be transported to the atmosphere.
THE POSSIBILITY OF LIFE ON MARS IS ON THE AGENDA AGAIN
One of the most striking results of the research was the possibility that possible volcanic activities on Mars may have created environments suitable for life.
According to scientists, hot magma rising from the earth's crust in the planet's past may have interacted with groundwater.
Hydrothermal systems formed as a result of this interaction may have created conditions similar to the environments in which some microorganisms can survive on Earth.
The coexistence of water, heat and chemical energy resources in such regions is important for the emergence and maintenance of microbial life.
SCIENTISTS POINTED TO THE ALBA MONS REGION
Professor Daniel Mège from the Center for Space Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences said that the Alba Mons region could be an important target for searching for traces of life on Mars.
Mège, co-lead author of the research, stated that examining the cracks where gas leaks are seen in the region is scientifically meaningful.
"To search for life on Mars, it would be quite logical to turn to gas-leaking cracks in the Alba Mons region," Mège said.
Stating that if hydrothermal systems are still active in the region, they can provide the necessary substances and energy for the development of microorganisms, Mège stated that these underground environments can also protect microorganisms from the harsh and variable conditions on the surface.
ARE MARS' VOLCANIC ACTIVITIES STILL CONTINUING?
Scientists emphasize that the findings do not definitively prove that there are active volcanoes on Mars today.
Evaluations that hydrogen chloride gas may be of magmatic origin provide a new clue for the investigation of geological processes ongoing in the depths of the planet.
Researchers state that the source of gases on Mars and possible volcanic systems underground need to be examined in more detail.
