Oh, snap. Martian volcanoes might actually still be alive.
ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter detects gas near Alba Mons on Mars, hinting at active volcanoes and new places to look for life.
Scientists may need to reconsider their belief that Mars' volcanoes are extinct, as new evidence suggests they could still be active. The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter detected hydrogen chloride near Alba Mons, a large volcano in Mars' northern hemisphere. While this gas is typically associated with volcanic activity, its presence on Mars is puzzling since the planet's weather and air chemistry suggest no source for it.
Cracks, some inch or two wide, were also observed by cameras, hinting at recent volcanic activity. Researchers believe Mars still retains enough internal heat to support volcanic activity, and the hydrogen chloride detection could be the "smoking gun" indicating this. If confirmed, Mars may have warm, wet areas underground where life could potentially survive.
Written by urgent.news from Mashable's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
