Scientists have been studying the western end of Mars’ Acheron Fossae region, which features deep cracks, valleys, and frozen lava. This area tells a different chapter in the story of Mars’ restless past. Researchers from Freie Universität Berlin processed data from Mars Express’s High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) to examine these features in detail.
Acheron Fossae is a “horst and graben” system, formed when the crust stretches and fractures, creating alternating high and low blocks of land. The region likely dates back 3.7 billion years, with rising molten rock forcing the surface apart, creating cracks over 0.6 miles deep.
The channels in Acheron Fossae hold “a slow, viscous flow of ice-rich rock,” similar to Earth’s rock glaciers. These natural formations respond quickly to changes in climate, providing a kind of time capsule. The region reveals a history of alternating cold and warmer periods due to Mars’ wild axial tilt.
The tilt has swung between 15 and 45 degrees over the last 10 million years, driving extreme climate swings. This is more dramatic on Mars than on Earth. The study provides valuable insights into Mars’ past, but also helps prepare for future missions by understanding the formation of frozen water resources.
Acheron Fossae acts as a climate archive, holding clues about when Mars lost its atmosphere, how long it stayed warm enough for liquid water, and potential signs of ancient microbial life. This region may end up being more than just a snapshot of the past – it could be a guide to Mars’ future and where humans set foot next.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/massive-valleys-cracks-and-canyons-are-frozen-in-time-on-mars-acheron-fossae