Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science

"Volcanoes" without lava

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mgs/msss/camera/images/news2002/ceraunius/E14-1248-1249_ceraunius100.jpg


Or perhpas that is better spelt as "volcanos".

In any case, there is little "volcanic" about these features.

While these features are some kind of pressure reaction, the working fluid is not magma, but instead clathrate. (And where is the context shot in this case?) Note the channels created by the flows.

Note also the bizarre dating: large craters, alongside no indications of dust erosion. Clearly, the relationship between crater size and impactor size is not understood for Mars, as no allowance has been made for the clathrates which the impactors hit, or for their pressure state at the time of impact.

In addition, the general assumption is often made that there are some kind of subsurface magma flows or hot spots which lead to the formation of many
different kinds of features. These assumptions are made at the same time it appears that the molten core which does exist within Mars is insufficient to cause these reactions.

In any case, a fascinating object of contemplation.

ep

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