Along the Martian equator , there is a structure that stretch out for about 5,000 kilometre ( 3,100 miles ) , roughly the distance between New York and LA . It is called the Medusae Fossae Formation and worldwide scientist have been struggle to explain how it come to be . Now , they believe it was the effect of explosive volcanism .
The mystery of the Medusae Fossae get decades ago . Visually the realm is both a smooth , gently undulate aerofoil due to erosion , and a carved plateau full of ridges , rut , and mesas . But it ’s radar observation that have change the interrogative about its origin . These observations suggested that the region could be made by volcanic porous rock music or sparkler depositary .
As report in theJournal of Geophysical Research : planet , the study suggests about 3 billion years ago , a massive volcanic explosion threw ash , sway and a large volume of gas and water into the Martian atmosphere . The eruption release enough water to embrace the intact satellite in a wet layer 9 centimeters ( 3.5 inches ) duncical and left a deposit region – Medusae Fossae – about one - fifth the size of the continental United States .
" This is a monumental depositary , not only on a Martian exfoliation , but also in terms of the solar organization , because we do not roll in the hay of any other deposit that is like this , " lead author Lujendra Ojha , from Johns Hopkins University , said in astatement .
" If you were to lot the Medusae Fossae globally , it would make a 9.7 - meter ( 32 - ft ) deep layer . Given the sheer magnitude of this deposit , it really is incredible because it implies that the magma was not only full-bodied in volatile and also that it had to be volatile - rich for long period of time . "
This was probably the largest known explosive volcanic deposition in our Solar System . Researchers call back the eruption could have lend to warming the clime of the Red Planet and the volcanic gases release altered the alchemy of Mars ' surface and atmosphere , prolong this period .
The unexampled sketch uses gravity information from several ballistic capsule revolve Mars doing different analyses . They estimated the denseness of the rocks in the Medusae Fossae , and discovered that it is about two - thirds less dense than the rest of the Martian crust . It is most potential a holey tilt as ice is much low-down density . The team estimated that about half of the original deposit of the eruption as now eroded off .
This determination suggests that Martian interior is more complex than antecedently think . To have created such a social organization made of poriferous rocks on Mars ' surface mean that a lot of explosive substances must be present in the planet ’s interior .
