Martian Meteorites Unveil Secrets of Mars’ Internal Structure

Photo byPhoto by Nicolas Lobos on Unsplash

Recent research led by researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography has provided new insights into the structure of Mars using meteorites that originated from the planet. The study, published in Science Advances, analyzed Martian meteorites collected from Antarctica and Africa. These meteorites, formed about 1.3 billion years ago and were ejected from Mars, offer valuable information about the planet’s mantle and crust.

The research team focused on two types of Martian meteorites, nakhlites and chassignites, from the same Mars volcanic system. Nakhlites are basaltic rocks rich in clinopyroxene, while chassignites primarily comprise olivine. The analysis showed that these meteorites are related through fractional crystallization processes within their volcanic source. The study also revealed that some nakhlites incorporated material from Mars' crust and interacted with the atmosphere.

These meteorites directly link to Mars' internal structure and its volcanic history. The findings indicate that Mars has a complex internal structure with an atmospherically altered upper crust, a varied deeper crust, and a mantle with ancient reservoirs that have influenced volcanic activity. This structural complexity is compared to Earth’s, with similarities in volcanic processes but differences in how reservoirs have evolved.

Understanding these Martian rocks helps inform current NASA missions like Perseverance and the Mars Sample Return, providing context for the data collected by these missions. The research contributes to our knowledge of Mars' geological history and offers a glimpse into the early conditions of the planet. The study was supported by NASA’s Solar Systems Workings and Emerging Worlds program.