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![Are We Looking at Mars or Earth? Scientists Discover Mysterious Soil Patterns in Martian Soil [Read More]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.ibtimes.sg%2Fen%2Ffull%2F36577%2Fmars.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
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International Business Times
30-06-2025
- Science
- International Business Times
Are We Looking at Mars or Earth? Scientists Discover Mysterious Soil Patterns in Martian Soil [Read More]
In a recent study, published in the journal Icarus, researchers have revealed that the wave-like landforms on Mars may reveal information about the planet's icy past, whether life could exist there, and how granular materials flow. Mars may be more like Earth than previously thought, despite having a thinner atmosphere and a dry, dusty surface. In the latest study, researchers from the University of Rochester, including assistant professor Rachel Glade from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and PhD student JohnPaul Sleiman, discovered that some of the soil features on Mars closely resemble the wave-like soil patterns found in the coldest parts of Earth. New Insights About Granular Material Behavior This implies that similar physical forces and icy environmental processes may have shaped both planets in spite of their differences. The study offers fresh insights into the physics of granular material behavior, the kinds of environments that may have once supported life, and the climate history of Mars. The scientists examined high-resolution satellite photos of nine Martian crater sites and contrasted them with analogous sites on Earth. They found that the geometric patterns and shapes of solifluction lobes, which are found in cold, mountainous areas of Earth like the Arctic and the Rocky Mountains, closely resemble the wave-like landforms on Mars. Glade said that these patterns "are large, slow-moving, granular examples of common patterns found in everyday fluids, like paint dripping down a wall." What is the Biggest Difference? "The Martian versions are about, on average, 2.6 times taller," she added. The researchers demonstrated that this height difference is exactly what would be predicted if the lobes were able to grow taller before collapsing due to the physical characteristics of the soil and Mars' weaker gravity. Solifluction lobes are created on Earth when the ground partially thaws after freezing, allowing soil to gradually move downward. Although sublimation—the process by which ice transforms straight into a vapor—rather than liquid water-based thawing, Mars most likely underwent freeze-thaw cycles similar to those on Earth. The study raised questions about the evolution of Mars' climate, the possible role of water, and where to search for evidence of past life by speculating that the planet may have once had icy conditions that shaped its surface similarly to Earth. Sleiman said, "Understanding how these patterns form offers valuable insight into Mars' climate history, especially the potential for past freezing and thawing cycles, though more work is needed to tell if these features formed recently or long ago." "Ultimately, this research could help us identify signs of past or present environments on other planets that may support or limit potential life," he added.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA Mars satellite uncovers markings 'like paint dripping down a wall' on Martian surface
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mars has wave-like soil patterns that match those found on Earth. This image, taken from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, shows the patterns inside a Mars crater. | Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UArizona High-resolution satellite images have revealed dripping paint-like patterns on Mars that match those found on Earth, according to a new study. The familiar soil patterns suggest that Mars and Earth were shaped by similar forces. On Earth, the patterns form on the slopes of cold, mountainous regions where soils freeze and thaw throughout the year. If Mars once had the same icy, wet conditions, then these patterns could be a good place to explore the role that liquid water may have had in shaping the Red Planet and its potential to harbor signs of life. "Understanding how these patterns form offers valuable insight into Mars' climate history, especially the potential for past freezing and thawing cycles, though more work is needed to tell if these features formed recently or long ago," study lead author JohnPaul Sleiman , a doctoral student in the department of Earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester in New York, said in a statement . "Ultimately, this research could help us identify signs of past or present environments on other planets that may support or limit potential life," Sleiman added. The researchers published their findings online March 26 in the journal Icarus . Related: NASA rover discovers out-of-place 'Skull' on Mars, and scientists are baffled On Earth, soil patterns like this are known as solifluction lobes . They form when a sheet of frozen ground partially thaws and loosens, causing soil to creep downhill. The effect creates wave-like patterns on the side of hills in cold regions. Mars is further away from the sun than Earth, and typically much colder, but the Martian lobes only occur at high latitudes. Some previous studies have suggested that Mars' high-latitude regions may have experienced freeze-thaw conditions in the planet's recent climate history, which would explain why it has similar lobes. However, there are many unanswered questions surrounding the Martian lobes, including why they appear to be significantly larger than those on Earth, according to the study. The wave-like soil patterns form in cold, mountainous regions on Earth. | Credit: Gerald Corsi via Getty Images By analyzing high-resolution satellite imagery of the Martian surface taken by the HiRISE camera aboard NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, the research team saw that the wave-like landforms followed the same basic geometric pattern as those in Earth's Rocky Mountains, Arctic and other cold mountainous regions, according to the statement. RELATED STORIES —Life on Mars could survive — so long as you're one of these strange, hybrid lifeforms —Curiosity rover finds largest carbon chains on Mars from 3.7 billion-year-old rock —Scientists reveal signs of crucial life-sustaining process on Mars: 'I knew right away how important this discovery was' Study co-author Rachel Glade , an assistant professor in the department of Earth and environmental sciences at the University of Rochester, likened the landforms to patterns seen in fluids. These patterns "are large, slow-moving, granular examples of common patterns found in everyday fluids, like paint dripping down a wall," Glade said in the statement. The team also confirmed that the Martian lobes were larger than Earth's — around 2.6 times taller on average. To explain this, they proposed that Mars has taller lobes because its gravity is weaker, which allows waves of accumulating sediment to grow taller before collapsing, according to the study. The findings reinforce previous suspicions that Mars' lobes are — or were — linked to ground ice, with their patterns resembling what would be expected from fluid-like instabilities. However, the researchers couldn't be certain that liquid water was involved just from the satellite data. The authors suggested that future laboratory experiments could explore whether ice and liquid water are both required for the wave-like patterns to form. Mars quiz: Is your knowledge of the Red Planet out of this world?
