Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of Mars? Although at first glance it might seem like a “dead” planet with no activity, new discoveries are changing our view of this reality. What if I told you that beneath the ancient Martian ocean there are hidden structures never seen before?
Recent studies, presented atEuroplanetary Science Congress in Berlinrevealed something extraordinary: Mars it may not be as geologically inactive as we thought. Using gravitational data collected by satellites, scientists have located underground structures of surprisingly high density beneath the surface of what was once a vast sea.
What do these new discoveries tell us?
Imagine a planet covered in layers of sediment, probably an ancient ocean floor. Beneath them, the researchers discovered dense structures that appear to have formed long ago, perhaps due to ancient volcanic activities or powerful meteorite impacts. These formations are approximately 300-400 kg per cubic meter denser than the surrounding areas. But why are there no signs on the surface?
Does the idea of finding underground secrets sound familiar to you Mars? Already last year, the Chinese Mars rover Zhurong had found traces of underground structures shaped by ice deposits. However, these new gravitational anomalies seem even more difficult to explain.
A mystery under the poles
One of the most fascinating points of this discovery concerns an area around the northern polar cap of Mars. Here, they have been identified approx twenty formations of various sizesone of which even resembles the shape of a dog! But what could have caused the formation of these structures?
According to Bart Root, the researcher who led the study, these structures could be the result of ancient volcanic eruptions or meteor impact events. “There is no visible evidence of these formations on the surface,” Root said. “Thanks to the gravity data, we are getting one fascinating look in the earliest history of the northern hemisphere of Mars.”
The active heart of Mars
But it doesn’t end here. The gravity data revealed another surprising detail: Mars may still have active processes beneath its crust. Under the immense volcanic structure called Tharsis Rise, where the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, is located, a new gravitational anomaly has been discovered.
This incredibly dense region, according to scientists, could hide an enormous plume of magma nearly 1,000 miles wide, located approximately 700 miles deep. This could mean that Mars is still experiencing internal movements that, in the future, could create new volcanic structures on its surface.
Does it surprise you to know that a planet so far away could still be geologically active? These new discoveries force us to review our understanding how Mars formed and how it continues to evolve.
What does all this mean?
These discoveries could radically change our approach to Mars. It may still be able to host geological movements and, perhaps, even other surprises. The next mission to Mars it will not just explore the surface, but could aim to dig deeper, to discover what really lies beneath.
Are you intrigued by this new image of Mars? What do you think this could mean for future space exploration? Let us know your opinion in the comments and don’t forget to share this article with other astronomy and science enthusiasts!
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