Chronicle of Martitz

1987/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Astronomia

Young craters have been found on Mars. That is why you can think that the volcanic activity of Martitz is more recent than expected. At the University of Houston in the USA, the images emitted by the satellite Viking Orbiter 1 and the black spots that can be seen in the valley of Marinaris have been considered volcanic chimneys.

The tectonic forms and structures of these chimneys are associated with a special type of vulcanism (the Pyroclastic). This type of vulcanism has so far been exclusive to Earth and Moon. In addition, the morphology of chimneys and dust piles not yet dispersed by the wind indicate that craters are young. The oldest is only a few million years old.

If this idea is confirmed, Martitz has been active longer than expected so far.