A rising plume of magma under Mars’ Tharsis volcanic region could one day trigger a colossal eruption. This new discovery offers insight into Mars’ geological activity, suggesting that the planet may still have active movements beneath its surface.

Scientists have detected a massive plume of magma rising under Mars’ Tharsis region. This region houses the solar system’s tallest volcano, Olympus Mons, and three other large volcanoes: Ascraeus Mons, Arsia Mons, and Pavonis Mons. Though these volcanoes have been dormant for millions of years, the discovery suggests that future eruptions are possible.

The magma plume spans over a thousand miles wide and is located deep beneath Mars' surface. At a depth of 680 miles (1,100 km), it has begun rising toward the planet’s surface. This could one day awaken the volcanoes in the Tharsis region. Olympus Mons alone stands an impressive 13.6 miles (21.9 km) high, with its caldera even extending into space.

Read Also: Lunar Eclipse 2024: Spectacular Supermoon eclipse wows skywatchers worldwide; next eclipses dates revealed

Mapping Mars’ Gravity

The discovery of the magma plume was made by studying Mars' gravitational field. Scientists from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands analysed data from satellites, including Mars Express and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. They found subtle differences in gravity across Mars. This led them to locate the magma plume beneath the Tharsis region, where the gravity was unusually weak.

Seismic measurements from NASA’s Mars InSight mission also contributed to this finding. The measurements revealed that Mars' internal structure is far more complex than previously thought. Unlike Earth’s layered structure, Mars has a more uneven distribution of mass inside, with dense and less dense regions.
Mysterious Subsurface Structures In addition to the magma plume, scientists discovered over 20 mysterious structures buried beneath Mars’ northern hemisphere. These dense features, which vary in size, remain hidden beneath ancient ocean sediments. One structure, intriguingly, resembles the shape of a dog. Unlike the Tharsis plume, these features have a strong gravitational pull.

Read Also: SpaceX's Crew-9 mission to work as a rescue operation for Sunita Williams delayed until September 25, but why?

Researchers suspect these northern structures could be volcanic in origin or formed by ancient impacts. However, they remain a mystery, as no trace of them is visible on the surface. A new mission, dubbed the Martian Quantum Gravity (MaQuls) mission, is being proposed to explore these enigmatic subsurface features further.

Potential for Future Exploration

The proposed MaQuls mission would provide detailed mapping of Mars' gravity field. This data would help scientists study ongoing mantle convection and better understand surface dynamics. It could also uncover groundwater reservoirs and explain seasonal atmospheric changes on Mars. Lisa Wörner, a researcher at the German Aerospace Centre, stressed the importance of MaQuls in uncovering these hidden features.

Mars might still hold secrets of its early evolution and ongoing geological activity. The findings indicate a dynamic interior and reveal that future volcanic eruptions could reshape Mars' surface.