Geology of Mars
Similar to Earth, all of the planets, including Mars, are defined by geologic processes. Of course, these geologic processes and conditions differ among the planets depending on various factors, such as the relative distance to the sun, composition of the planet, vulnerability to impacts and collisions, etc. Of all the planets, Mars is the closest to Earth-like conditions (Head 1).
On the surface of Mars, as well as all of the telluric planets, the most abundant minerals are silicates. On Mars, the origins of most of the silicates are of basaltic to andesitic basaltic. On its surface, the main silicates are olivine, plagioclase and two types of pyroxene, which are high calcium pyroxene (or clinopyroxene) and low calcium pyroxene (or orthopyroxene) (Chevrier & Mathe 290-291). Due to the abundance of silicates and the evidence of water on Mars, phyllosilicates are also abundant. Phyllosilicates are alterations of silicates due to water, and they may exist as clay minerals, talc and serpentine. Most of the phyllosilicates on Mars are iron-rich, such as minnesotaite, greenalite. The inorganic chemical analyses of Viking proved the existence of clays, such as nontronite, saponite and montmorillonite, on the Martian surface (Chevrier & Mathe 291-292). Finally, the red coloration of the Martian surface can be attributed to iron oxides and (oxy)hydroxides, such as the hematite, goethite, ferrihydrite, magnetite, titanomagnetite, maghemite, lepidocrocite, akaganeite, schwertmannite, and feroxyhyte (Chevrier & Mathe 292-297). Other minerals exist on the Martian surface as well, including sulphur, sulphates, and carbonates (Chevrier & Mathe 297-299).
The mineralogy and petrology of Mars may be different, but it is important to note that Mars do have the two significant parameters to support life. Mars contains water; however, most of it is frozen in the polar icecaps. Moreover, Mars has an atmosphere, but is thin and the dominant gas is carbon dioxide (Hamblin & Christiansen 735). These two parameters are important because water and the atmosphere here on Earth support life. With this in mind, are there any lifeforms on Mars? Can Mars support life?
Life on Mars
Today, space exploration allows mankind to send mobile robots to Mars in order to examine the planet closely. The data they send are carefully analyzed here on Earth. These data consists of mineral analysis, photographs of terrains, surface temperature, and atmospheric composition, while other missions are dedicate to analyze Martian materials in search for organic materials and life. Unfortunately, none has ever presented evidence of having life on Mars (Jones 124).
If the conditions on Mars are enough to support life, then why can’t we detect any sign of life on Mars? One theory states that during the evolution of the Solar system, Mars cooled faster than Earth did. Comparatively, Mars has a smaller size and has less internal heat than Earth. Moreover, Mars is geologically active since the early epochs of the Solar system. Furthermore, Mars is farther away from the sun than the Earth. As a result, the water on Mars became quickly locked into the frozen icecaps and pore spaces, and in turn, stopped stream erosion. Moreover, the geologically active planet quickly became relatively quiet because of the fast cooling of internal heat (Hamblin & Christiansen 737).
Still, Mars is a significant candidate if ever mankind accepted the idea of directly injecting other planets with life. Note that even in the most extreme conditions here on Earth, such as the highly acidic waters of the Yellowstone National Park, lifeforms found a way to adapt to these conditions. Such lifeforms, specifically extremophiles, are capable of surviving extreme conditions, and even vacuum, but of course, injecting lifeforms to other bodies outside the Earth has moral issues.
Man on Mars
As mentioned before, there has never been any sign of life on Mars. Needless to say, there is no man on Mars. However, the idea of having man on Mars may not be too farfetched. Due to mankind’s advanced technology, scientists can program space explorations that can bring humans on Mars. These proposals would require lots of resources, but their success would have greater implications. Especially since Mars contain water and has an atmosphere, the success of bringing humans to Mars would imply that space colonization is possible. However, conservationists argue that colonizing the planet Mars would only bring destruction to the planet just like how mankind destroyed the planet Earth.
Overall, Mars is a perfect prospect for containing life. Its composition is almost similar to the Earth, except for the abundance of iron oxides and (oxy)hydroxides. Mars contains water and has an atmosphere, two significant parameters to support life. However, there has never been any sign of life on Mars, which can be attributed to its rapid cooling during the early epochs of the Solar system. Still, the fact that it can support life means that Mars is a perfect candidate for space colonization, especially considering its distance to the Earth.
Works cited
Chevrier, V. & P.E. Mathe. Mineralogy and Evolution of the Surface of Mars: A Review. Planetary and Space Sciences 55 (2007): 289-314. Print.
Hamblin, W.K. & E.H. Christiansen. Earth's Dynamic Systems. 10th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Hall, Pearson Education Inc., 2008. Print.
Head, James W. The geology of Mars: new insights and outstanding questions. In (Ed.) M.G. Chapman. The Geology of Mars: Evidence from Earth-Based Analogs (1-46). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print.
Jones, Barrie W. Life in the Solar System and Beyond. UK: Springer-Verlag, 2004. Print.
