A new study published in Nature Communications has identified a single mineral that researchers believe is responsible for Mars’ distinctive red color. The mineral, ferrihydrite, is a poorly crystalline substance containing iron oxide, which forms when iron-rich rocks are exposed to water and oxygen. The presence of ferrihydrite on Mars suggests that the planet was once covered in liquid water, creating a more hospitable environment for life.
Researchers used state-of-the-art equipment and analyzed Martian dust samples to confirm the role of ferrihydrite in shaping the planet’s surface color. The study’s findings indicate that Mars experienced a wet period in its distant past, which led to the formation of ferrihydrite. This mineral is thermodynamically stable on the Martian surface, suggesting that it formed during a cold and wet environment.
The discovery of ferrihydrite has significant implications for understanding the potential habitability of Mars. The presence of this mineral suggests that early Mars was more conducive to life due to its wet conditions. Scientists believe that the widespread distribution of ferrihydrite on the Martian surface indicates that the planet may have had liquid water in rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans in its past.
While the study’s findings are promising, researchers emphasize that more research is needed to confirm the role of ferrihydrite in shaping Mars’ red color. The NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return mission, set to launch in the 2030s, will provide scientists with actual dust samples from Mars to further test their hypothesis.
The study’s authors have made the Martian surface data available to the public, allowing anyone with access to the internet to download and view images of the planet’s surface for themselves.
Source: https://www.salon.com/2025/03/01/study-uncovers-source-of-mars-redness–a-key-indicator-the-planet-maybe-once-had-life