MOSCOW, Idaho – A study led by the University of Idaho has uncovered the first evidence of a volcanic spatter cone on Mars.
According to a press release from the University of Idaho, Ian Flynn, a postdoctoral researcher working under Assistant Professor Erika Rader in the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences at the University of Idaho, conducted an in-depth analysis using morphological investigation and ballistic modeling. His research indicates that a volcanic feature on Mars closely resembles spatter cones found on Earth.
“The similarity between the Mars and Icelandic spatter cones indicates that the eruption dynamics occurring in Iceland, over the last several years, also occurred on Mars,” Flynn said. “This is exciting as it expands the range of volcanic eruption styles possible on Mars.”
According to the press release, spatter cones form when hot fragments of lava are ejected during explosive eruptions, particularly during sustained periods of lava fountaining. While these structures are frequently found in locations such as Idaho’s Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, solid evidence of their existence on Mars had not been established until now.
“The similarity between the Martian and Icelandic spatter cones suggests that the eruption dynamics observed in Iceland over the last several years may also have occurred on Mars. This expands our understanding of the types of volcanic activity that could occur on the Red Planet.”
The press release said that the discovery provides valuable insights into Martian volcanic activity and offers clues about the gases in Martian magma, as well as the environmental conditions during past eruptions. It also suggests that volcanic processes in Iceland and Idaho today share similarities with those that occurred on Mars millions of years ago.
“We are thrilled about this discovery because it fills a distinct observational gap in Martian volcanology, and it lays the groundwork for future investigations of spatter features on Mars,” Flynn said.
