Discover the Hidden Volcano Next to NASA’s Mars Rover: A Stunning Find ‘In Plain Sight’

It can be tough to spot volcanoes on Mars, especially when you’re a small rover exploring a distant crater. However, thanks to NASA’s Perseverance rover, scientists have discovered a volcano at Jezero Crater.

“Volcanism on Mars is fascinating for many reasons,” says James Wray, a planetary scientist from Georgia Tech. It offers insights into the potential for life and helps piece together Mars’ geological history. He points out that Jezero Crater is one of the most studied locations on Mars. If they’re finding a volcano here, there might be many more across the planet.

The volcano, known as Jezero Mons, was first noted in 2007, but there wasn’t enough evidence to confirm it. Recent findings from the Perseverance rover, which uncovered volcanic rocks in the crater, led to a renewed investigation.

Wray and a team, including Sara Cuevas-Quiñones, used data from multiple Mars missions to analyze Jezero Mons closely. They looked for features typical of volcanoes on Earth.

The team concluded that Jezero Mons is indeed volcanic, complete with a crater. While it isn’t active now and hasn’t been for quite some time, this finding helps clarify the nature of other surface materials analyzed by Perseverance.

An exciting aspect is that Jezero Crater was once a lake. If a volcano was nearby, it might have created warm conditions suitable for life in the lake. “This combination of features makes Jezero an intriguing site,” Wray adds. They have samples of unique sedimentary rocks that could indicate habitable environments alongside valuable volcanic materials.

These discoveries not only enhance our understanding of Mars but also spark discussions about the planet’s past. A 2022 study showed that the number of identified volcanoes on Mars could be much higher than we previously thought. This adds to the ongoing debate about Mars’ geological activity and its potential to support life.

The latest findings are published in Communications Earth & Environment.

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