Mars May Still Have Active Magma

Since the NASA InSight Mission deployed the SEIS seismometer on Mars in 2018, researchers at ETH Zurich have been analyzing seismic data from over 1,300 marsquakes. A recent study focused on a cluster of more than 20 quakes originating near the Cerberus Fossae, a region of rifts and graben, and found evidence that may indicate ongoing volcanic activity.

The study, led by ETH Zurich, analyzed the frequency and location of the quakes and found that their low-frequency characteristics suggest a warm source, possibly molten lava or magma beneath the surface. This discovery challenges previous assumptions that Mars is geologically inactive. Researchers also noted darker dust deposits in the area, which they believe could be evidence of relatively recent volcanic activity, possibly within the past 50,000 years.

The InSight mission’s SEIS seismometer is the most sensitive ever placed on another planet, allowing scientists to gather data on both surface and subsurface activity. Combining seismic readings with orbital images has strengthened the confidence in these findings. The study involved researchers from multiple institutions, including ETH Zurich, Harvard University, and the German Aerospace Center.

The discovery of potential magma activity on Mars has significant implications for understanding the planet’s geological history and its similarities to Earth. While Mars is currently a dry, dusty world, it once had vast water bodies and a denser atmosphere. The quakes from Cerberus Fossae suggest that the planet may still be geologically active, with magma potentially moving toward future eruption sites. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence that Mars is not as lifeless as once believed.