|
Credit NASA A map of the magnetic field of Mars observed by the Mars Global Surveyor satellite at a nominal 400 km altitude. Red and blue stripes represent magnetic fields with opposite directions. Darker hues represent more intense magnetic fields. To show the location of the magnetic stripes on Mars, the map is superimposed on a topography relief map from the Mars Observer Laser Altimeter instrument. |
In 1999, NASA's Mars Global Surveyor first brought back a tantalizing hint that Mars once might have had an earth-like system of plate tectonics. But the observations covered only a small region and were too spotty to confirm. Now astrophysicists have stitched together comprehensive planetary map of Mars's surface. The map shows striping – a phenomenon created when hot lava pushes two tectonic plates apart as it forces its way to the surface. Since the new lava becomes magnetized in the same direction of the planet's magnetic field, and since the planet's magnetic field periodically flips directions, the striping also provides a record of plate activity through the planet's history. More from nasa.gov.
Note: This link is not affiliated with Discover.com and will take you off site. For more news from Discover, you may want to see our R&D page.
