Mars’ Olympus Mons May Awaken!
A new study of Martian gravity conducted by an international team of astronomers has revealed a large area of weaker gravity beneath the Tharsis Plateau, where Olympus Mons is located.
This is most likely a giant magmatic plume extending about 1,600 km—essentially, a flow of lava slowly rising from the planet’s interior.
In the future, this process may well lead to an eruption of the largest volcano in the Solar System, dormant for millions of years. Moreover, three neighboring smaller volcanoes might also become active.
The summit of Olympus Mons stands at an altitude of 22 km, effectively beyond the Martian atmosphere. Therefore, it would eject smoke and lava into space. However, according to scientists’ forecasts, the volcano itself would be completely destroyed by this eruption, should it occur.
A new study of Martian gravity conducted by an international team of astronomers has revealed a large area of weaker gravity beneath the Tharsis Plateau, where Olympus Mons is located.
This is most likely a giant magmatic plume extending about 1,600 km—essentially, a flow of lava slowly rising from the planet’s interior.
In the future, this process may well lead to an eruption of the largest volcano in the Solar System, dormant for millions of years. Moreover, three neighboring smaller volcanoes might also become active.
The summit of Olympus Mons stands at an altitude of 22 km, effectively beyond the Martian atmosphere. Therefore, it would eject smoke and lava into space. However, according to scientists’ forecasts, the volcano itself would be completely destroyed by this eruption, should it occur.