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A recent study sheds light on the ancient past of Mars and shows how changes in crustal thickness affected the planet’s magmatic evolution and hydrology. This research challenges
A recent study sheds light on the ancient past of Mars and shows how changes in crustal thickness affected the planet’s magmatic evolution and hydrology. This research challenges long-held assumptions about Mars and suggests that the thick crust beneath the southern highlands supported granitic magma and underground aquifers billions of years ago.
The study, led by Rice University’s Sin-Ti Lee, reveals the role of Mars’ southern highlands, where the crust was as thick as 80 kilometers (50 miles) during the Noisian and early Hesperian periods (3-4 billion years ago). ). Advanced thermal modeling showed that radioactive heating in these thick crust regions caused partial melting of the lower crust, producing acidic magmas similar to granites.
“Our results show that processes in the Martian crust are much more dynamic than previously thought,” Lee said. “The thick crust in the southern highlands not only produced granitic magma without plate tectonics, but also created the thermal conditions for stable groundwater aquifers (reservoirs of liquid water) on a planet we usually think of as dry and frozen.”
The research team used advanced computer models to simulate the conditions of the Martian crust in ancient times, focusing on three critical factors: radioactive heat production, mantle heat flux, and crustal thickness.
While radioactive elements in the crust naturally decayed, releasing heat over time, additional heat from the planet’s mantle helped warm the crust from below.
In regions where the crust was more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) thick, the combination of these factors led to partial melting of the lower crust. This process produced silica-rich granitic magma.
Heat flux through the thick crust also enabled the maintenance of stable groundwater reservoirs, or aquifers, beneath the frozen surface layer. These aquifers extended several kilometers below the surface and retained fluid in thick regions of the crust due to prolonged heat.
Occasionally volcanic eruptions or asteroid impacts can disrupt these underground reservoirs and cause water to rise to the surface during periodic floods. The interaction between heat, crustal dynamics, and water reveals that Mars is much more geologically active and hydrologically dynamic than previously thought. The data obtained is of great importance for the potential habitability of the planet.
The study refutes the assumption that granites are inherent to Earth’s plate tectonics and water recycling processes.
“Granite is not just rock; these are geological archives that tell us about the thermal and chemical evolution of the planet,” said Rajdeep Dasgupta. “On Earth, granites are associated with tectonics and water circulation. “The fact that we see evidence of similar magmas on Mars through deep remelting of the crust highlights the planet’s complexity and past potential for life.”
These granites, hidden under basalt flows in the southern mountainous regions, provide very important information about the geological history of Mars.
The research suggests that Mars’ southern highlands may be more habitable than scientists thought in the past. It is known that granitic magmas formed in these regions of the Martian crust contain elements necessary for life, such as potassium and phosphorus.
Additionally, the presence of stable groundwater reservoirs beneath the plateaus adds another layer when considering potential habitability. These liquid aquifers, protected beneath the frozen surface layer, may have provided a stable environment for microbial life to exist. The combination of these factors significantly changes our view of Mars’ potential to support life, providing new insights into the planet’s past environment.
The Southern Highlands are a promising target for future missions to Mars. Large craters and fissures in this region can reveal hidden granite rocks or ancient bodies of water.
“Any understanding of Mars’ crustal processes brings us closer to answering some of the deepest questions in planetary science, including how Mars evolved and how life might exist,” said Kirsten Seebach, one of the study’s authors. “Our research is a road map for where to look and what to look for in the search for answers.”
This study paints a picture of Mars as a more dynamic and complex planet than previously thought. The interaction of thick crustal regions, granitic magmas and underground aquifers underscores a planet rich in geological and hydrological processes. These discoveries could change the way we study Mars and assess whether life existed on Mars in the distant past. The study was published in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Source: Port Altele
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