A paper recently published in Geophysical Research Letters by Devon Burr, Alfred McEwen (University of Arizona) and Susan Sakimoto (UMBC/GEST at the Geodynamics Branch, Goddard Space Flight Center) provides compelling evidence that Mars, if not still volcanically active, was at least recently so.
 MOLA topographic data in the Cerebus region |
Sakimoto provided the volcanic and topographic expertise for the
study of the
Cerberus Plains region of Mars where there is strong
evidence for a complex interplay between volcanic and water
eruptions in recent martian history. Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter
(MOLA) data (left, and next page) provide high resolution digital
elevation information that clearly reveals both the volcanic flows and
the fissures from which they and the water erupted, as well as the
scour marks of water flow within the same channel. Crater counts
by other researchers have indicated a very young age for the lava
flows, perhaps as little as 10 million years. This suggests that this
part of Mars could still be warm enough for yet future eruptions of
both lava and water, from melting of subsurface ice by volcanic heat.
The authors suggest that shallow ground ice may still exist in this
area near the martian equator.
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The interaction of lava and water makes this part of Mars a prime target for lander and rover studies, as it may be an environment (warm and wet) which could still support life.
Both Richard Kerr of Science and Ron Cowan of Science News have reported on this result, described fully in the paper “Recent Aqueous Floods from the Cerberus Rupes, Mars” which was published in the January 1, 2002 issue of Geophysical Research Letters.
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A high resolution image from the Mars Observer Camera (MOC), showing
streamlined features in a water channel in the Cerberus Plains region,
where both lava and water have repeatedly flowed.
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The Cerberus Plains region of Mars, shown In high resolution shaded relief
from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data. The Cerberus Rupes are the
fissures from which lava flows have issued, which have in part flowed down
channels previously cut by running water. The evidence suggest repeated
eruptions of both lava and water. From Burr et al., “Recent Aqueous Floods
in Cerberus Rupes, Mars” (Geophysical Research Letters, January 1, 2002).
Contact: Susan Sakimoto, GSFC, Code 921 (sakimoto@core2.gsfc.nasa.gov)
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Responsible NASA official: Dr. Herbert Frey