Search Results (5)

The first electrical conductivity model determined beneath the InSight landing site is revisited in this study by performing a careful selection of magnetic records from the IFG dataset. This conductivity model is recalculated for the crust and the uppermost mantle (0–182 km depth), considering the data provided by this careful selection. In general, the present model shows a good agreement with synthetic models and other models calculated from magnetic data. In the present model, the conductivity of the crust is 0.0007 S/m, and the conductivity for the uppermost mantle coincides with that determined in the former paper. The crustal conductivity has been calculated for the first time beneath the InSight landing site. Better knowledge can be achieved when more accurate magnetic data are available. Full article

The linking zone between Claritas Fossae and Noctis Labyrinthus represents one of the most structurally complex areas on Mars and has so far received limited attention in the scientific literature. In this work, we aim to reconstruct the tectonic structural framework of this area by combining regional-scale geological structural mapping of tectonic lineaments and agglomerative hierarchical clustering. For the clustering analysis, five attributes were considered for each of the 1729 mapped lineament: azimuth, sinuosity, length, position, and the age of the terrain on which they occur. A total of 68 tests were conducted using different combinations of attributes and relative weights. The most geologically and statistically meaningful solution identified six clusters with specific orientations occurring on both Noachian and Hesperian terrains. This allowed us to relate individual clusters with the different phases of evolution proposed in the literature for the Thaumasia region. In addition, comparison with previous regional tectonic models indicates that some clusters can be confidently related to the Claritas Fossae, others to the Noctis Labyrinthus. Results indicate that the study area effectively represents the place where the two regional-scale tectonic domains interacted during multiple phases of deformation. The highlighted polyphase evolution started during the Noachian and continued through episode(s) of reactivation during the Hesperian, as a result of the tectonic interference between Claritas Fossae and Noctis Labyrinthus. Full article

Landslides are recognised as one of the most widespread mass-wasting processes that modify the surface of Mars. Understanding the distribution of these processes is essential for identifying areas where slope failure conditions may occur and the factors that most strongly influence their occurrence. This study utilises a Frequency Ratio (FR) landslide susceptibility method to a landslide inventory in Valles Marineris, considering three landslide types. The analysis involves conditioning factors derived from topographic and structural data. The results underline the influential role of morphometric parameters in controlling landslide occurrence, with steep slope classes and high local relief values showing the strongest positive correlations with landslide distribution. The predictive performance of the susceptibility models is supported by Area Under the Curve (AUC) values of 0.82 for Slumps, 0.78 for Rock Avalanches, and 0.75 for Debris Flows, indicating good model reliability. Proximity to tectonic structures appears to contribute to landslide occurrence, suggesting that structurally weakened rock masses or past seismic activity may influence slope instability in the region. Overall, the results display the potential of statistical landslide susceptibility approaches for analysing slope instability processes in planetary environments and provide a new toolkit for future investigations on Mars. Full article

Numerous space missions are advancing our understanding of the origin and evolution of planetary bodies and the potential for the emergence of life throughout the Solar System and beyond. Investigations across the inner Solar System have revealed contrasting planetary environments: Venus offers insights into runaway greenhouse processes, while Mars remains a primary target for studying climate evolution, atmospheric loss, past water activity, and extinct life, with sample return missions planned in the next decade. Beyond the traditional habitable zone, attention has shifted to the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Data from space missions have identified subsurface oceans and possibly active geology on moons such as Europa, Ganymede, Titan, and Enceladus, highlighting their astrobiological potential. Among others, Europa’s ocean, possibly interacting with a silicate mantle and sustained by tidal heating, Enceladus plumes and Titan’s complex organic chemistry make these worlds compelling targets. Current and upcoming missions will further explore these environments and refine our understanding of habitability. This work also emphasizes the importance of planetary protection to prevent biological contamination, particularly for sample return missions. Continued exploration, supported by international collaboration and technological innovation, will be essential to address engineering challenges and to expand our knowledge of potentially habitable environments across the Solar System. Full article

Our concept of where life can thrive on Earth has advanced over the past 70 years to include extreme ionizing radiation, high temperatures, the deep subsurface, hydrothermal vents on the deep ocean floor, extreme arid deserts, and the ice-covered lakes and high mountain valleys of Antarctica. This expanding understanding of the biosphere has coincided with the development of space exploration programs, and it has informed those programs with regard to the search for life on other water worlds in our Solar System—especially Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Titan presents a reverse of this approach. The interesting organic solids and fluids on that world have no analog in Earth habitability but have inspired suggestions of possible biological systems unlike any on Earth. If realized, the discovery of life on Titan would stretch the concept of habitability just as it stretches the concept of life as we know it. Habitability studies on exoplanets may follow both of these paths: we will look for habitability on exoplanets based on observed habitats on Earth, and we will also use observations of exoplanets as grist for contemplation of lifestyles different from anything we know on Earth. Full article