Enigmatic rocks on Mars show evidence of a violent origin

Analyzing data from several of these Mars missions, a team of researchers led by Steve Ruff of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration has determined that enigmatic olivine-rich bedrock in Gusev crater and in and around Jezero crater may be a type of rock called"ignimbrite," which is both igneous and sedimentary and forms as the result of cataclysmic explosive eruptions from immense volcanic calderas.

Olivine is a common silicate mineral that comes from magma generated in the mantle of Mars . So some kind of volcanic process is a reasonable explanation for the origin of the olivine-rich rocks on Mars.

The images were from a type of rock called"ignimbrite," which essentially is both igneous and sedimentary at once. Ignimbrites form as the result of flows of pyroclastic ash, pumice and blocks from the largest volcanic explosions known on Earth. The false-color image on the left shows olivine-rich deposits in the Nili Fossae region compared with welded ignimbrite deposits on Earth . The fractures in the Earth example are cooling joints, which closely resemble those in the Mars example. Credit: HiRISE/Google Earth

Mars has the biggest volcano in the solar system and lava flows that cover huge swaths of the planet, so volcanic rocks are a given. But only a few places had been suggested to contain ignimbrites, and until now only tentatively.

Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Check out NASA’s latest footage of a solar eclipse on MarsWatch this short new video of a Martian solar eclipse. DourDarcelsNFT to the Moon/Mars
Source: verge - 🏆 94. / 67 Read more »

WATCH: NASA posts footage of solar eclipse on MarsNASA posted footage from the Mars Perseverence Rover on Wednesday, offering humans a glimpse at what a solar eclipse looks like on Mars.
Source: dcexaminer - 🏆 6. / 94 Read more »

Inflatable Venus drone, Mars spacesuits and more: NASA picks far-out tech concepts for future studySome of these ideas seem like science fiction, but they could one day assist space missions I’m just digging the Mars Spacesuits! 🥰 (Are they designed for EV use?) 🤔
Source: SPACEdotcom - 🏆 92. / 67 Read more »

A rare kind of helium leaking from the Earth’s core could help solve a major mysteryA rare helium isotope, helium-3, is leaking out of the Earth's core, thereby adding more evidence to debates surrounding the Earth's origins.
Source: IntEngineering - 🏆 287. / 63 Read more »

New evidence from fatal ‘Rust’ shooting shows distraught Alec Baldwin with bloodied clothesThe Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office released dozens of photos, videos and documents on Monday that offer new insight into the investigation. Still waiting for him to be charged with murder ! He broke the most important gun safety rules. Rule 1 treat every weapon as if it were loaded! Why wasn’t this man arrested if it happened to me or any other Jo blow we would be in jail sitting waiting… I guess money buys everything
Source: TODAYshow - 🏆 389. / 55 Read more »

Jim Ruland pens a fast and furious epicLocal writer completes a punk-rock trilogy with his new book, 'Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records'
Source: sdut - 🏆 5. / 95 Read more »