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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Mars Volcanoes May Re-Erupt, Hawaii Comparison Shows


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A shaded relief image of Mars shows Olympus Mons—the largest volcano in the solar system—and the three Tharsis Montes volcanoes. The image is based on data from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter, an instrument on NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft.

A new study comparing the Tharsis Montes trio with Hawaii's volcanoes found the two chains were likely made by a somewhat similar geologic process.

The research also hints that the Tharsis volcanoes may not be extinct. If they do re-erupt, they could spew large amounts of heat-trapping carbon dioxide and water into the atmosphere.

Image courtesy NASA