Rocks on Earth could help unravel the mystery of Martian atmosphere

Rocks found here on Earth could help unravel the mystery of what happens to the Martian atmosphere. thanks to our hard work mobile We know that our neighboring planet once had liquid water, which means that the planet was once liquid. atmosphere, this kept him much warmer. But we know very little about how this atmosphere formed and how it disappeared. Now, thanks to some rocks from Duluth, Minnesota, scientists have a new theory.

Duluth rocks were found to have a similar iron-rich mineral composition. Marcy. During the tests, the researchers observed that the serpentinization process in these iron-rich rocks, i.e. the rocks Earth’s mantle It comes into contact with water and forms hydrogen, which is five times stronger than other types of rock. When rocks release hydrogen through serpentinization, that hydrogen enters the atmosphere where it combines with other gases to create a greenhouse effect – something that keeps the planet warm.

Associate professor of earth sciences at the University of Calgary, Dr. “It also produces unique minerals and regenerated organic compounds that can then fuel ecosystems and combine with other components to form the building blocks of life,” said Benjamin Tutolo. study. The result document, he said in the statement.

Many of the geological processes on Mars are similar to what happens here on Earth. However, the type of serpentinization that occurred on ancient Mars, according to this theory, is not common on Earth. “So to understand these rocks they found at the floor of Jezero Crater, they will need to be seen through the lens of our new results from the Duluth Complex in Minnesota,” Tutolo said.

Although we have not yet delivered the Martian rocks to Earth, WorldNASA’s rover, which will allow scientists to confirm this theory Curiosity gave researchers an advantage. “The great thing about Curiosity Rover is that it has the ability to analyze minerals with its on-site lab. Tutolo has already shown some evidence of serpentinization,” he said.

Next, researchers must find out why the Martian atmosphere evaporated, leaving the planet as cold and dry as it is today. The team is also excited to continue working on its potential impact on Mars’ geology. formation of the solar system.

“The value of studying Mars is that it doesn’t have plate tectonics, all the rock there has been there for at least 3.5 billion years. We have pieces of Earth that have existed since then, but all of Mars.” How did it affect the planet’s surface?”