Overview
- A peer-reviewed study in Geology published on January 29, 2026 reconstructs a young volcanic system south of Pavonis Mons.
- Researchers identify a shift from early fissure-fed lava flows to later point-source, cone-forming eruptions supplied by the same subsurface magma.
- Distinct mineral signatures preserved in successive flows track magma evolution through time.
- The mineral changes likely reflect variations in magma source depth and the duration of subsurface storage before eruption.
- By combining high-resolution surface mapping and orbital spectroscopy, the team challenges the older model of simple, short-lived Martian eruptions.