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The latest research suggests that volcanic activity on Mars, which was previously thought to have ended long ago, may be resuming. Indirect data from the orbit and surface of the Red Planet indicate the presence of liquid magma under the crust.
According to the journal publication Nature, an analysis of more than 1300 Martian earthquakes recorded by the probe's seismograph InSight, discovered a class of low-frequency earthquakes characteristic of active geological processes. Most of the epicenters of such events are localized in the area of Cerberus furrows - deep cracks in the Martian crust. It is here that fresh volcanic deposits, likely composed of pyroxene, were previously discovered, indicating possible eruptions in the past.
Deposits in the Cerberus furrows are characterized by high heat capacity, and their age is estimated at 50-200 thousand years. For comparison, even on Earth, volcanoes of this age can remain active. Analysis of the seismic data showed that the waves traveled through a liquid or near-liquid medium, suggesting the presence of a subsurface magma in the area.
Mars differs from Earth in the absence of tectonic activity, which makes its magmatic foci durable. Volcanoes on Mars may have been active for millions of years, and the low gravity allowed the formation of the largest volcanic structures in the Solar System, such as Mount Olympus. This giant, more than 21 km high, illustrates the uniqueness of the Martian volcanic history.
However, more research is needed before final conclusions can be drawn. Scientists are considering the possibility of deploying a network of seismographs and measuring heat flows in different parts of the planet. It would also be promising to study rock samples from Cerberus furrows or observe the eruption in real time. The totality of data can confirm the hypothesis of the preservation of volcanic activity on Mars.
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