Hidden Volcano on Mars Discovered: Size Comparable to Everest

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars, identifying a colossal and uniquely shaped volcano that surpasses Mount Everest in size, long overlooked despite being in plain view.

Dr. Pascal Lee, the Mars Institute Chairman and lead author of the study, revealed this remarkable find at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in The Woodlands, Texas, on March 13, sparking excitement within the planetary sciences field.

Located in the Noctis Labyrinthus region near Mars’ equator, an area characterized by a complex network of canyons, this volcano has remained unnoticed for decades. Dr. Lee, along with Sourabh Shubham, a geology doctoral student at the University of Maryland, identified the volcano, which blends into its surrounding landscape and has been heavily eroded and altered by environmental forces, making it challenging to recognize at first glance.

Dr. Lee mentioned in a CNN interview that the volcano’s severe erosion and collapsed features have made it difficult to identify through previous satellite imagery. However, this discovery could significantly impact our understanding of Martian geology.

Dr. Lee is optimistic that this hidden volcano could aid in the search for water ice or even life on Mars during future missions. Research led by Lee and Shubham initially indicated in March 2023 that the Noctis Labyrinthus region contains large glaciers covered with salt deposits.

Further analysis of data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter by the team aimed to determine the presence of frozen water beneath the salt. This pursuit is crucial for future human exploration on Mars, as water ice could potentially support human life and be converted into rocket fuel.

While examining the Martian terrain, Dr. Lee was intrigued by a relatively unoxidized lava flow adjacent to a glacier, suggesting the presence of a recently active volcano. This observation led to a meticulous examination of the region’s high points, revealing they formed an arc, indicating the volcano’s location.