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Caves found on Mars
Random Chaos
Actually Carefully-selected Order in disguise
in Zocalo v2.0
There may yet be life hiding out.
Hermits? Hobbits? Some other cave dweller?
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6461201.stm[/url]
Hermits? Hobbits? Some other cave dweller?
[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6461201.stm[/url]
Comments
*sigh*
Human nature is to forget and assume things.
Reminds me of a report I saw on the Weather Channel the other night...
Raving about the ski lodges using Green energy, which in and of itself is ok, but the "news caster" states that at Mammoth Moutain in Long Valley Caldera, they are researching using Geothermal energy form the (wait for it... ) "extinct" volcano.
If history is any teacher, there ain't nothing extinct, just more or less probable locations of activity.
There is still a lot about Mars that is theorized based on current understanding, but not for sure, especially since we don't have live people, and good equipment on the surface to get that better picture.
As with anything there are pros and cons to all choices. My point would probably be better stated that the caves might be good temporary staging locations for a more permanent location somewhere else.
Of course if there is any life in there, we'd be wrong to ruin it's chances of evolving etc by taking over their humble abodes...
:)
Well of course it doesn't...
We need to be looking for Aerethermal activity... ;)
And when you mix recent volcanic activity with permafrost layers you get it on the surface for a brief period of time as the thin Martian atmosphere will allow.
:)
Many to pick from but I'll use this one for now...
[url]http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/mars_worldbook.html[/url]
[QUOTE]
Physical features of Mars
Scientists do not yet know much about the interior of Mars. A good method of study would be to place a network of motion sensors called seismometers on the surface. Those instruments would measure tiny movements of the surface, and scientists would use the measurements to learn what lies beneath. Researchers commonly use this technique to study Earth's interior.
Scientists have four main sources of information on the interior of Mars: (1) calculations involving the planet's mass, density, gravity, and rotational properties; (2) knowledge of other planets; (3) analysis of Martian meteorites that fall to Earth; and (4) data gathered by orbiting space probes. They think that Mars probably has three main layers, as Earth has: (1) a crust of rock, (2) a mantle of denser rock beneath the crust, and (3) a core made mostly of iron.
Crust
Scientists suspect that the average thickness of the Martian crust is about 30 miles (50 kilometers). Most of the northern hemisphere lies at a lower elevation than the southern hemisphere. Thus, the crust may be thinner in the north than in the south.
Much of the crust is probably composed of a volcanic rock called basalt (buh SAWLT). Basalt is also common in the crusts of Earth and the moon. Some Martian crustal rocks, particularly in the northern hemisphere, may be a form of andesite. Andesite is also a volcanic rock found on Earth, but it contains more silica than basalt does. Silica is a compound of silicon and oxygen.
Mantle
The mantle of Mars is probably similar in composition to Earth's mantle. Most of Earth's mantle rock is peridotite (PEHR uh DOH tyt), which is made up chiefly of silicon, oxygen, iron, and magnesium. The most abundant mineral in peridotite is olivine (OL uh veen).
The main source of heat inside Mars must be the same as that inside Earth: radioactive decay, the breakup of the nuclei of atoms of elements such as uranium, potassium, and thorium. Due to radioactive heating, the average temperature of the Martian mantle may be roughly 2700 degrees F (1500 degrees C).
Core
Mars probably has a core composed of iron, nickel, and sulfur. The density of Mars gives some indication of the size of the core. Mars is much less dense than Earth. Therefore, the radius of Mars's core relative to the overall radius of Mars must be smaller than the radius of Earth's core relative to the overall radius of Earth. The radius of the Martian core is probably between 900 and 1,200 miles (1,500 and 2,000 kilometers).
Unlike Earth's core, which is partially molten (melted), the core of Mars probably is solid. Scientists suspect that the core is solid because Mars does not have a significant magnetic field. A magnetic field is an influence that a magnetic object creates in the region around it. Motion within a planet's molten core makes the core a magnetic object. The motion occurs due to the rotation of the planet.
Data from Mars Global Surveyor show that some of the planet's oldest rocks formed in the presence of a strong magnetic field. Thus, in the distant past, Mars may have had a hotter interior and a molten core.
...
Volcanoes
Mars has the largest volcanoes in the solar system. The tallest one, Olympus Mons (Latin for Mount Olympus), rises 17 miles (27 kilometers) above the surrounding plains. It is about 370 miles (600 kilometers) in diameter. Three other large volcanoes, called Arsia Mons, Ascraeus Mons, and Pavonis Mons, sit atop a broad uplifted region called Tharsis.
All these volcanoes have slopes that rise gradually, much like the slopes of Hawaiian volcanoes. Both the Martian and Hawaiian volcanoes are shield volcanoes. They formed from eruptions of lavas that can flow for long distances before solidifying.
Mars also has many other types of volcanic landforms. These range from small, steep-sided cones to enormous plains covered in solidified lava. Scientists do not know how recently the last volcano erupted on Mars -- some minor eruptions may still occur....
[/QUOTE]
Jake
So, wheres Arthur then?
Would you rather I make statements based upon Faith?
:D
Not just signs of life. Signs of super-intelligent alien civilisation. These caves are probably their subway tunnels or something.