Is it time for the sleeping giants to wake up?

(Fig. 1) Olympus Mons Compared to the Hawaiian Islands

As we mentioned in our last blog, there is evidence proving the existence of volcano activity according to the minerals found in the last Curiosity Project. However, are they completely extinct? When did the volcanoes erupt? What is their current state?

There are some differences between volcanic eruptions on Earth and those on Mars. The lower gravity of Mars generates less buoyancy forces on magma rising through the crust; the magma chambers that feed volcanoes on Mars are thought to be deeper and much larger than those on Earth. Somewhat the lower gravity of Mars also allows for longer and more widespread lava to flow. The biggest difference between Martian and Terrestrial volcanoes is size.

Consequently, eruptions on Mars are less frequent than on Earth, but when they occur, they have an enormous scale and eruptive rate. Martian volcanoes are more analogous to terrestrial mid-plate volcanoes, such as those in the Hawaiian Islands, which are thought to have formed over a stationary mantle plume.

Martian shield volcanoes are similar to the shield volcanoes that make up the Hawaiian Islands. Both the Martian and Hawaiian volcanoes have complex summit calderas (the areas from which the lava flows). They are built from thousands of individual lava flows, and appear to be composed of iron-rich silicate rocks, such as basalt.(Fig. 1)

NASA researches have found how there is proof of past volcanic activity but no current activity. There is extensive evidence of past volcanic activity on Mars in the form of extinct volcanoes. However, there is no current volcanic activity on Mars, and it is apparent that Mars has undergone a cooling process, leading to all volcanic activity to cease.

There are less than 20 named volcanoes on Mars, and only 5 of these are giant shield volcanoes. Also, scientists were able to classify volcanoes into three categories: Tholis, Pantarae and Mons. For instance, a good example of the Mons volcanoes is the famous Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain in the Solar System.

Volcanic activity also seems to have changed over time. Volcanism in the highlands and mare-like plains on Mars stopped about 3 billion years ago. Nowadays the odds of finding an active volcano on Mars are very small. The interior of Mars has cooled more rapidly over geological time than has the Earth's interior.

In conclusion, Mars volcanoes are currently inactive, but there has been volcanic activity since Mars’ existence which is the reason why minerals of Mars are similar to those found in the Hawaiian Islands. But why is it that there no quartz on the Red Planet, if it is found in the terrestrial volcanoes. Are volcanoes supposed to have the same mineral no matter where they are to be in activity? If so, where are the quartz minerals?

Authors:Ivan Piedad, Massiel Barrera,Maria Rodriguez