Tag Archives: pyroclastic eruptions

THEMIS: Channels in volcanic ash

THEMIS Image of the Day, August 22, 2018. Tyrrhenus Mons is one of the oldest martian volcanoes and Tyrrhena Fossae is the largest of the channels dissecting the volcano. As well as being one of the oldest volcanoes, it is … Continue reading

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Medusae Fossae formation is likely a deposit from explosive volcanism

[Editor’s note: From a paper by Lujendra Ojha and Kevin Lewis recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.] The Medusae Fossae Formation is one of the largest sedimentary deposits on Mars. Its origin is uncertain, though several processes including volcanic, … Continue reading

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THEMIS: Wind-eroded Medusae Fossae formation

THEMIS Image of the Day, June 11, 2018. This VIS image shows part of Medusa Fossae. Winds have eroded materials in this region, creating ridges and valleys aligned with the direction of the wind. The formation materials appear soft and … Continue reading

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Everything you wanted to know about Martian scoria cones, but were afraid to ask…

Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month, January 30, 2017: Petr Brož (Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Science). Volcanism is an important process which shapes the surfaces of all terrestrial planets, and is still active on Earth, Jupiter’s moon Io, … Continue reading

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Does Arabia show a new style of Martian volcanism?

Arabia is one of the largest and oldest regions of Mars. Among its varied rocks are widespread deposits of soft and easily eroded ones which may have a volcanic origin. However, Arabia has no obvious volcanic vents or sources.

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Explosive eruptions in dense ancient atmospheres

Explosive volcanic eruptions on an earlier Mars with a thicker atmosphere would have scattered fine ash (pyroclastic debris) mainly east or west of the volcano, a new study finds. Also, a denser ancient atmosphere supports the addition of Arsia and … Continue reading

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Did Tharsis change its volcanic style?

Volcanic activity on Mars tends toward an “effusive” eruption style: it produces many low-profile, broad-skirted volcanos. These are made with sheets of runny lavas that flow like warm motor oil for long distances, spilling over and around obstacles or burying … Continue reading

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