- Crater reveals layers thought to have been carved by groundwater reservoir
- Lends weight to idea that Mars was once very different
- Mars has 'undergone radical climate change'
By Rob Waugh
|
Two side-by-side meteor craters on Mars have revealed that the Red Planet has undergone serious climate change in its history.
One crater in particular reveals dark traces of sediment thought to have been cemented together by water from an ancient groundwater reservoir, before being carved away by howling Martian wind.
The find, by the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter, has lent weight to the idea that Mars was once very different to the dead orb we see now.
One crater in particular reveals dark traces of sediment thought to have been cemented together by water from an ancient groundwater reservoir, before being carved away by howling Martian wind
The ancient 'climate change' that turned Mars from a wet planet - possibly capable of supporting life - to the dusty, wind-scoured orb that we see today was probably caused by changes in the axis of the planet's rotation.
Similar forces are thought to have an impact on the cycle of ice ages on Earth.
On 19 June 2011, Mars Express pointed its high-resolution stereo camera at the Arabia Terra region of Mars, imaging the Danielson and Kalocsa craters.
Danielson crater is named after the late George E. Danielson, who was instrumental in the development of many spacecraft cameras flown to Mars, and is 40 miles across.
Kalocsa crater lies in the center of the image and is smaller, about 20 miles in diameter.
Danielson crater, like many in the Arabia Terra region, is filled with layered sediments, which in this instance have been heavily eroded over time. Within the crater are peculiarly layered buttes, known as yardangs.
The find, by the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter, has lent weight to the idea that Mars was once very different to the dead orb we see now
Yardangs are streamlined hills carved from bedrock or any consolidated or semi-consolidated material by abrasive dust and sand particles carried in the wind.
They are seen on Earth in desert regions, with notable examples in North Africa, Central Asia and Arizona in the United States.
In the case of Danielson crater, it is believed that sediments were cemented by water, possibly from an ancient deep groundwater reservoir, before being eroded by the wind.
The orientation of the yardangs leads scientists to theorize that strong north-northeasterly winds (from the lower right in the image) both deposited the original sediments and then caused their erosion.
-
Couple 'raped baby daughter during supervised visit and... -
'Dead' Brazilian boy 'sits up in coffin at his own funeral... -
Tragedy as family of six dies after plane piloted by father... -
'You're NOT special': Teacher rants at 'pampered, cosseted... -
Woman killed and dismembered cheating husband and scattered... -
Former Fleetwood Mac member Bob Welch found dead after... -
Stores now selling 'Zombie Bullets' as police warn against... -
William and Harry visit Prince Philip in hospital as Palace... -
'It was the biggest bombshell of my life': Olympic gymnast... -
Fresh-faced and natural: Glamour shots reveal what 'tanning... -
Pictured: The tender moment when mother who gave birth to... -
If a reality show and the new quarterback's model wife...
Share this article:
Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
The comments below have been moderated in advance.
- Newest
- Oldest
- Best rated
- Worst rated
Wonderful, love looking at pictures about space and that. Cannot wait for the day we finally step on mars ...... =]
Report abuse
Ok, so now it is being said that climate change can be caused by changes in the axis of a planet's rotation - something that Earth does as well, so perhaps we should look beyond Human CO2 emissions then ?
Report abuse
This may sound silly to some but i think there once was life there and some thing catastrophic happend to wipe it all out and then life started somewhere else mabey it was here and who knows that one day the same thing might happen again on earth
Report abuse
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar