A new study reveals that a volcano south of Pavonis Mons on Mars formed through multiple eruptive phases powered by an evolving magma system, challenging earlier assumptions of a single eruption. Researchers used orbital imaging and mineral data to trace the volcano's development. The findings indicate Mars's interior was more active than previously thought.
Volcanic activity on Mars, like on Earth, often stems from intricate underground processes. A recent analysis published in the journal Geology examines a volcanic system south of Pavonis Mons, one of the planet's largest volcanoes. The study, led by an international team from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, the University of Iowa's School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability, and the Lancaster Environment Centre, combines high-resolution surface mapping with mineral measurements from orbiting spacecraft.
The research shows the volcano developed over time through several stages, rather than a one-time event. Initial eruptions involved lava flows from ground fissures, while later phases produced eruptions from focused vents that formed cone-shaped structures. Despite these surface differences, all activity was driven by the same magma reservoir beneath the surface.
"Our results show that even during Mars' most recent volcanic period, magma systems beneath the surface remained active and complex," stated Bartosz Pieterek from Adam Mickiewicz University. "The volcano did not erupt just once -- it evolved over time as conditions in the subsurface changed."
Variations in mineral composition across the lava deposits provide clues to the magma's changes. These shifts suggest differences in the magma's origin depth and storage duration before eruption. "These mineral differences tell us that the magma itself was evolving," Pieterek added. "This likely reflects changes in how deep the magma originated and how long it was stored beneath the surface before erupting."
Without direct rock samples from Mars, such orbital data offers critical insights into the planet's volcanic history and interior dynamics. The study highlights the potential of remote sensing for understanding magmatic systems on other worlds.