The Search For Volcanic Eruptions On Mars Reaches The Next Level

The Mariner 9 mission first saw the peak of Olympus Mons on Mars in the midst of a global dust storm in 1971. Credit: NASA/JPL

A new study of emissions from Martian volcanoes suggests there is no activity going on right now, but researchers aren't ruling out recent eruptions.

Using NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility at Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the science team searched for signs of sulfuric acid - a key indicator of volcanic activity. They focused on the major volcanic provinces of Mars (Tharsis and Syrtis Major) in two, multi-week observation sessions, one from December to January 2012, and another in May and June 2014.

From Earth, they couldn't spot any signs of volcanic eruptions in those brief periods. These findings match similar negative results from searches the team conducted using the Very Large Telescope in Chile (an optical telescope) and the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory radio telescope.

Different types of molecules emit characteristic "signatures" based on the energy of their individual elements, with each one acting as a sort of fingerprint for investigators. In radio wavelengths, the search technique is slightly different; scientists look for distinctive lines that occur as the molecules rotate. Fortunately, sulfuric acid shows up quite well in these wavelengths.

The results were presented at the American Astronomical Society Department of Planetary Sciences meeting in November under the title, "A new search for active release of volcanic gases on Mars: Sensitive upper limits for OCS," led by Alain Khayat (University of Hawaii).

Researcher and co-author Geronimo Villanueva says the next logical step in the research is getting up close to Mars to do a lengthy search. Fortunately for Villanueva, he has use of an instrument approved on a forthcoming European spacecraft to do that very thing.

A swath of collapsed ground at the edge of Olympus Mons, the highest volcano on Mars. The image was taken by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona

"From Earth, searching is tricky. Telescope time only gives you a particular time or instance and you don't have the whole picture," said Villanueva, a research assistant professor at Catholic University of America in residence at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. "The orbiter provides daily maps of the atmosphere, so we're going to learn a lot about the actual processes on the planet."

Villanueva is a co-investigator of NOMAD (Nadir and Occultation for Mars Discovery), a spectrometer that will fly on the 2016 ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter with the European Space Agency. The instrument will not only look for volcanism - a sign of energy that could be a source for life to grow on - but also organic substances that could indicate byproducts of life itself.

On Earth, for example, volcanoes recycle carbon dioxide, which plants use, and also spew out plant-friendly ash. Hot springs are also a common feature of nearby volcanoes, and they form when heated rocks underground interact with groundwater. Despite the tough environment of hot springs - the high temperature and acidity, for example - certain organisms, such as extremophiles, live in this habitat.

A DYNAMIC PLANET

When spacecraft first visited Mars in the 1960s, geologists believed they were looking at a dead planet. NASA's first Mariner spacecraft coincidentally passed by areas that were mostly cratered, taking on an appearance similar to the Moon.

Mariner 9 changed that perception forever. The spacecraft arrived at Mars for the first orbital mission in 1972, only to see a global dust storm engulfing the Red Planet. A few odd, circular features appeared to be sticking out of the dust. When the debris slowly subsided, scientists realized they were looking at vast volcanoes, including Olympus Mons, which rises 16 miles (25 kilometers) high, or about three times higher than Earth's Mount Everest.

One key question was whether these volcanoes were extinct. It's a question still puzzling researchers today, although with each subsequent spacecraft has come more information. In 2004, for example, the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft examined Olympus Mons, and geological evidence suggested that lava flowed in the area within the past two million years, implying the volcano may still erupt again.

A Viking picture of the Tharsis volcanic region of Mars. At left is Olympus Mons. The chain of volcanoes at lower right, from bottom to top, is Arsia, Pavonis, and Ascraeus Mons. Credit: NASA/JPL/USGS

Evidence of recent volcanic eruptions would require either direct observations or looking for the products of their emissions in the atmosphere. Based on Earth observations, sulfuric acid would be the most likely trace gases. On Mars, however, there has been little in the way of systematic searches.

Earth-based observations tend to happen under the limitations of available telescope time (which is typically only days or weeks). There is also the issue of poor resolution. Perhaps eruptions do happen, but at such small levels that they cannot be detected easily from our planet. Researchers endeavor to get readings from higher up in our atmosphere where it's dryer and where it's less likely for atmospheric water to interfere. To that end, Villanueva said that a dedicated Mars orbiter will be a key step.

NOMAD will examine Mars in three ways. Using technology heavily based on the Venus Express mission, it has three channels. One is a solar occultation channel that provides information on gas composition when the Sun is visible through the atmosphere. Another one is a channel that is more sensitive to emissions as seen from the surface, and that will be primarily downward facing during the mission. The third channel permits observations at ultraviolet wavelength searching for sulphuric acid, ozone and also allows for aerosol studies.

WORKING WITH OTHER SPACECRAFT

The main targets of NOMAD will be organic molecules that have a carbon-hydrogen bond, such as ethane, methane and ethylene. These aren't necessarily signs of life, as organic molecules exist that are not life-based, but could indicate past or current habitability and could, importantly, point to recent activity. NOMAD will also hunt for a plethora of biologically and geologically relevant molecules, with a diverse mix of sulfur, chlorine, oxygen and nitrogen atoms.

Evidence of organic species on Mars is still under investigation, yet the Curiosity rover has recently reported definitive signs of organics on the surface of Mars, and also confirmed the existence of methane plumes in the atmosphere.

"We also know from Curiosity and from other assets that there are sulfur and chlorine compounds in the Martian surface" Villanueva said. "But in order to be in the atmosphere, there has to some thermal injection or release."

Artist's conception of the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter releasing a demonstration landing module above the surface of Mars. Credit: ESA

This release could come from some underground heat source, he pointed out, or perhaps from volcanism. Villanueva added it will take multiple instruments to confirm any findings, but he pointed out another tool will enter Earth's orbit in 2018. The James Webb Space Telescope has a resolution that should be ample enough to search for sulfur in the Martian atmosphere.Investigators also want to know how Mars has changed over time.

There is ample geological evidence of past water, as orbiters have caught signs of gullies, for example, and rovers have detected substances that form in liquid water, such as hematite and clay. But these signs all point to water forming millions or billions of years ago, implying something in the atmosphere changed.

The leading theory now is that the atmosphere thinned, particularly as hydrogen escaped into space. This can be measured by comparing Mars' ratio of hydrogen and its heavier cousin (or isotope), deuterium, to other planets. This is one of the main goals of MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN), a NASA spacecraft that arrived at Mars this year.

ExoMars will also perform investigations of this, Villanueva said. And as more landing missions hunt for water below the surface, they could provide more evidence of Mars' atmosphere changing over geologic time. A potential future missions of these investigation is the 2018 ExoMars rover. Meanwhile, the 2020 Mars rover under development by NASA will focus on searching for habitability.

"The theory is that if you have water protected for a long time underground, it should have a different isotopic ratio of hydrogen and deuterium than any on the surface" he said.

The post The Search For Volcanic Eruptions On Mars Reaches The Next Level appeared first on Astrobiology Magazine.

Ufos Above Sakurajima Volcano Eruption July 14 2011

UFOs have always been interested in volcanoes and especially the activities of the Sakurajima Volcano. This volcano remains active. Is that normal or is there more to it? The lava seems to be radioactive and the debris coming out has a definite 'wave' about it that seems unusual. Witness: Referring to the fact that some of those white hot particles seem to not cool down with the other ones which got me to thinking if there was a possibility of TEPCO dumping waste in this volcano, there is something going on down at the base there, many trucks going in and out, I was watching them yesterday wondering what they were doing... SOURCE MUCH OF THE UFO ACTIVITY WITNESSED BEFORE, DURING AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS ARE THE WHEELS OF YAHWEH'S HOLY ANGELIC ORDERS FULFILLING PROPHECY. THEY OFTEN APPEAR AS CIRCLES OF LIGHTS BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE, TIDAL WAVE, OR EVEN THE ERUPTION OF A VOLCANO. IT IS SIMPLY A SIGN FOR THE RECORD, AND A VISUAL WITNESS TO MANKIND.Filed under: Signs in Earth Changes, Signs in Natural Disasters, Signs in Plagues, Signs in the Heavens, Signs in the Spiritual War Tagged: End Times Signs, Japan Volcano, OVNI, Sakurajima volcano eruption, UFO Sightings, UFO Videos, UFOs, UFOs July 2011

Investigation X Siberian Apocalypse

Get Channel - Opening Air Date: 11/10/08

This program (which shares a name/subtitle together with an abovementioned program about the fantastically mystery) starts together with a reenactment of an air burst inundation that devastates San Francisco -- a be furious identical to the famous Tunguska Reason of 1918. Thought autonomously to be an asteroid or meteor soft, exhibit relay been no meteor flotsam and jetsam found. Afar undertake are an inundation from in the earth -- a freak bubble of volcanic gas, a misfortune together with "echo concern," and on a plane UFOs. The definite way to solve the mystery is to gather corporal evidence -- and so this show sends an individual group of geologists, physicists, and astronomers to the explosion's epicenter. One scientist, Dr. Kletetschka, believes that unfinished the fence in the universe is trans-dimensional "echo concern" -- which we can definite detect with profundity or as soon as it strikes the earth. He looks for a captivating name in the oldest foliage consumed stand. Unorthodox scientist, Boslough, believes the occurrence was a low altitude air-burst asteroid inundation, which destroyed over 800 diamond miles of forest but consumed no fissure. Happening the occurrence, relatives heard a series of booms (20-21) and one spectator described the sky break down up. The inundation consumed a butterfly-like "fall replica." In 2007, an Italian work it claimed to relay found an impact fissure state, but experienced Boslough sticks together with his air-burst theory -- and he seems to relay the fatal simulations to give your approval to him up. This is a forward-looking explanation of the 1960s Soviet matchstick experiment from the abovementioned "Siberian Apocolypse" show -- which the show recaps. But Boslough believes the inundation was above lush, and burns on foliage sound to promote he is power. Kletetschka beleives the air burst came from his echo concern, and hopes the lumber of the foliage movement give up the captivating name proving his theory. They grip substance samples in the area until they persuade a tree the power age.

Geophysicist Morgan has a very weird and wonderful theory. He believes that volcanic gasses built up in the basalt (volcanic) planes of Siberia. A majestic bubble of superheated gas (a "Verneshot") triggered the Tunguska inundation, and the rubble hurled hip the air would illustrate the atmospheric frothy reported after the occurrence. He's looking for overcome quartz to price confirmation his theory. The final theory is that a UFO caused the blast; nicely aliens saved earth from a meteor by deafening their own space ship hip the irritating object. The Russian scientist found no spaceship, but host "local" rocks. Kletetscha's samples don't relay the artifice he hoped for, yet he vows to search over. Morgan does persuade his overcome quartz, but that definite proves a Verneshot sovereign state relay happened in the gone. Tree scarring bears out Boslough's theory, and he is able to switch his fatal model to illustrate the secular Italina fissure as well (by simulating under of the asteroid discharge). In spite of this the final pass judgment is allay out at on the event's devote, NASA scientists force that we mask our planet in opposition to strikes by near-earth asteroids.

Lunar Impacts Created Seas Of Molten Rock

A new analysis of data from NASA's Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) shows that molten rock may have been present on the Moon more recently and for longer periods than previously thought. Differentiation -- a settling out of rock layers as liquid rock cools -- would require thousands of years and a fluid rock sea at least six miles deep.

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Melting on a massive scale. An impact event that formed the Orientale basin created a sea of molten rock 220 miles across and six miles deep. More recent lunar melts may help explain some puzzling questions and lead to some reinterpretations of lunar data including Apollo "moon rocks" [Credit: NASA]"

Early in the Moon's history an ocean of molten rock covered its entire surface. As that lunar magma ocean cooled over millions of years, it differentiated to form the Moon's crust and mantle. But according to a new analysis by planetary scientists from Brown University, this wasn't the last time the Moon's surface was melted on a massive scale.

The research, led by graduate student William Vaughan, shows that the impact event that formed the Orientale basin on the Moon's western edge and far side produced a sea of melted rock 220 miles across and at least six miles deep. Similar seas of impact melt were probably present at various times in at least 30 other large impact basins on the Moon.

Vaughan and his colleagues show that as these melt seas cooled, they differentiated in a way that was similar to the lunar magma ocean. As a result, rocks formed in melt seas could be mistaken for "pristine" rocks formed very early in the Moon's history, the researchers say.

"This work adds the concept of impact melt magma seas to the lexicon of lunar rock-forming processes," said planetary geologist James W. Head III, the Scherck Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences and the senior researcher involved in the study. "It emphasizes that one must consider the detailed point of origin of the rocks in order to interpret them correctly."

That includes rocks brought back during the Apollo program and Russia's Luna missions. It's quite possible, the researchers say, that impact melt material is present in lunar samples thought to be representative of the early formation of the lunar crust. The amount of rock formed in melt seas is far from trivial. Vaughan and his colleagues estimate that impacts forming the Moon's 30 large basins produced 100 million cubic kilometers of melt, enough to make up 5 percent of the Moon's crust.

If lunar samples do include melt material, it would help to explain some puzzling findings from lunar samples. For example, in 2011 an analysis of a sample assumed to have originated in the early lunar crust suggested that the sample was 200 million years younger than the estimated time when the lunar magma ocean solidified. That led some researchers to conclude either that the Moon is younger than previously estimated or that the lunar magma ocean theory was flawed. But if that sample actually originated from a melt sea, its young age could be explained without rewriting the history of the Moon.

THE MELT SEA AT ORIENTALE

The Orientale basin is only partly visible from Earth on the western edge of the Moon's near side. Because it's one of the few basins on the Moon that hasn't filled in with volcanic basalt, it provides a great place to investigate the geology of melt seas and to test whether they differentiate as they cool.

For the Orientale melt sea to have differentiated, it must have been liquid for a long time -- thousands of years. To be liquid that long, it must have been quite thick. That left the researchers with a question that wasn't easy to answer: How thick was the Orientale melt?

"In pictures, you're just seeing the top of an impact melt body, so we have to find a way to infer how thick it was," Vaughan said.

To do that, Vaughan and his colleagues took advantage of the fact that a liquid shrinks when it cools and solidifies. Data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) showed that the sheet had subsided by about two kilometers from the surrounding rock, giving the researchers an idea of how much the sea shrank. With that data, they could calculate its volume and infer its depth.

According to the calculations, the Orientale melt sea must have been at least 10 kilometers thick. Far shallower melt sheets from impacts on Earth are known to have differentiated, so it's a safe bet that Orientale was thick enough to differentiate.

The next question was what that differentiation might look like. Based on the compositions of the lunar crust and mantle material melted, Vaughan could determine the composition of the impact melt sea. From there, he could make a model of what rocks would have formed as the melt sea cooled. According to the model, thick layers of rocks like dunite and pyroxenite form at the base of the melt sea from dense, early crystallizing minerals that sink through the melt. Other minerals float up through the melt to form layers of rocks such as norite at the top of the melt sea -- very similar to differentiation processes in the lunar magma ocean.

Vaughan's model is supported by remote sensing data from the Maunder crater, the remnant of an impact that excavated material from the melt sheet after it cooled. The data confirm a noritic composition at least four kilometers deep in the melt sheet.

Taken together, the findings suggest that impact melt seas produce rock in a way that's very similar to the lunar magma ocean. And that could help to clear up some lingering questions about the magma ocean paradigm.

"This is a mechanism by which the Moon was later modified to add petrologic complexity," Vaughan said. "It helps make sense of mineralogical data that doesn't always fit in this lunar magma ocean idea."

The research is published in the April issue of the journal Icarus.

"Source: Brown University [March 11, 2013]"