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| Why Mars Became a Lifeless Desert: Scientists Finally Reveal the Real Reason. |
Why Mars Lost Its Atmosphere: Scientists Reveal Volcano Shutdown as the Main Cause
Have you ever wondered why Mars, the Red Planet, turned into a dry, lifeless world? According to a new study from a team of planetary scientists at the University of Chicago, the main culprit might be the planet’s early volcanic shutdown.
On Earth, volcanoes play a vital role in maintaining a stable climate by releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂), which supports the greenhouse effect and keeps the planet warm. Mars, however, lost this volcanic engine too early in its history—and it changed everything.
Curiosity Rover Finds Clues in Martian Rocks
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| Why Mars Became a Lifeless Desert: Scientists Finally Reveal the Real Reason. |
NASA’s Curiosity rover recently discovered rock formations rich in carbonates on Mars. This is a key discovery. Carbonates form when CO₂ interacts with liquid water and certain minerals. That means ancient Martian oceans were absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere. But here’s the catch: without enough active volcanoes, there was no way to replace that lost CO₂. Over time, Mars’s atmosphere thinned, and the planet grew colder and drier.
A Brighter Sun Wasn’t Enough to Save Mars
Over billions of years, the Sun has gradually become brighter. On Earth, that helps maintain warmth. On Mars, though, even brief warm periods triggered by solar changes weren’t enough to bring lasting change. With no volcanic eruptions to replenish CO₂, the atmosphere collapsed again and again. Temperatures dropped, pressure fell, and liquid water disappeared.
Olympus Mons—The Silent Giant
Mars is home to Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the entire solar system. In its prime, it may have released massive amounts of magma and carbon dioxide. But it stopped erupting about 3 billion years ago. Since then, Mars has been mostly geologically inactive. In contrast, Earth’s volcanoes continue to erupt today—even after disasters—helping to regulate CO₂ levels and stabilize the climate.
What This Means for the Search for Life
These findings could reshape how we look for signs of life on Mars. By understanding where and when Mars had the right conditions, scientists can better target their search. For now, the Curiosity rover is still climbing Mount Sharp, scanning for more traces of carbon and ancient water—clues that could reveal whether life ever began on Mars.
The Big Takeaway: Mars as a Cautionary Tale
Mars teaches us a powerful lesson: without natural systems like volcanic activity, a planet can lose its ability to support life. Its history is a stark reminder of how delicate climate balance can be—and how precious Earth’s stability truly is.