The Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego has been analyzing meteorites from Mars to understand the planet’s structure. These meteorites were formed approximately 1.3 billion years ago and were ejected from Mars, eventually landing on Earth in places like Antarctica and Africa. By analyzing the chemical compositions of these samples, scientists have been able to gain valuable insights into how Mars formed and evolved. This data also informs recent NASA missions such as Insight and Perseverance, as well as the Mars Sample Return.
The team, led by geologist James Day, focused on meteorites from a specific volcano on Mars known as nakhlites and chassignites. These meteorites were formed when a large meteor impact on Mars ejected rocks into space, some of which landed on Earth. By studying these rocks, scientists were able to determine that they are related to each other through a process known as fractional crystallization within the volcano. They also found that some of the molten nakhlites incorporated portions of Mars’ crust close to the surface, which interacted with Mars’ atmosphere.
The distinctive chemical characteristics of the nakhlites and chassignites, as well as other martian meteorites, provided insights into Mars’ internal structure. The team discovered an atmospherically altered upper crust, a complex deeper crust, and a mantle where plumes from deep within Mars have penetrated to the base of the crust. This information also revealed that the interior of Mars, formed early in its evolution, has melted to produce distinct types of volcanoes. These findings highlight the similarities and differences between Mars’ volcanism and Earth’s geological processes.
The data obtained from the meteorite samples not only sheds light on Mars’ geological history but also helps scientists better understand the internal composition of the planet. By analyzing these rocks, researchers can identify a new rock type on Mars and gain valuable insights into the planet’s formation. The study also serves as a link between what the early Earth may have looked like and how it appears today, providing important information for our understanding of planetary evolution.
In addition to James Day, the study involved contributions from Marine Paquet of Scripps Oceanography, as well as researchers from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the French National Centre for Scientific Research. The research was funded by the NASA Solar Systems Workings and Emerging Worlds program. Overall, the analysis of martian meteorites provides a unique opportunity to study the composition and structure of Mars, contributing to our understanding of the Red Planet’s geological processes and evolution.
