Recent volcanic activity and hydrothermal minerals on Mars

DLR German Aerospace Center
- Web Portal News -

Recent volcanic activity and hydrothermal minerals on Mars


Among the most remarkable geological formations on Mars is the vast shield volcano Olympus Mons that towers up to 26 kilometres above the surrounding plains. It is situated on the Tharsis plateau, a volcanic area the size of Europe. Mars is known for its volcanic activity. A second large geological structure is found close to the eastern edge of Tharsis – the canyon system of Valles Marineris, which stretches almost 4000 kilometres along the equator, with valleys carved up to 10 kilometres deep into its surface. Scientists have considered for decades whether there has been volcanic activity within Valles Marineris. Now four researchers, including Ernst Hauber from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) Institute of Planetary Research, have discovered a region with 130 small volcanoes at the base of Valles Marineris.



Full article with images: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-10081/151_read-23217/year-all/#/gallery/27504

DLR Space research:
http://www.dlr.de/space

Stay up to date - Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube:

http://www.twitter.com/dlr_en
http://facebook.com/DLRen
http://youtube.com/dlrde

For updates in German:
http://www.twitter.com/dlr_de
http://facebook.com/DLRde