Rover finds first sign of volcanic explosion on Mars

space.newscientist.com ^ | 5-3-2007 | David L Chandler

[bedolido]

Home Plate, a light-coloured feature in Mars's Gusev Crater, was likely formed by explosive volcanic eruptions, NASA's Spirit rover reveals. It is the first sign of such violent activity yet found on the planet.

Explosive volcanic events, known as pyroclastic eruptions, typically occur with a kind of lava that is high in silicates. But Mars appears to have only basaltic lava, which normally oozes relatively slowly.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I swear there’s an Energizer Bunny hidden in that rover...

[Steve Van Doorn]

Yeap, they are best golf carts ever made.

[theDentist]

I agree. I asked once how long it was expected to operate in that harsh environment, and was told about 3-4 months maximum. Keep it up Rover... by the way, what ever happened with the other one?

[coloradan]

I thought pyroclastic flows were steam explosions, that is, that depend on the presence of water in the rock. Molten rock coming from below heats up water contained in the rock above, and resulting in a violent explosion when the pressure gets too great to contain. Therefore, evidence of pyroclatic flows on Mars indicates water presence (or, perhaps, some other volatile compound) occuring under the surface.

[TexGuy]

Rove r finds first sign of volcanic explosion on Mars

Man, that guy can do anything ...

[Lurker]

Don't know but....

L

[GrandEagle]

Man, that guy can do anything ...
LOL!! Like, oh what was that movie where Arnie went to Mars... He had some sort of a "vacation" implanted in his mind - turns out his wife was the enemy...

[JRios1968]

Rover, you magnificent bastard!

[Steve Van Doorn]

April 21 2007 was the last photos taken by Opportunity, it is still going:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mer/daily.cfm

[Steve Van Doorn]

Oh, they got a new program which allows the rovers to cover more distance without human control. Opportunity got that software first and is testing it out.

[theDentist]

On the many days when I hear that my tax $$ went down a NASA rabbit hole, I like to look at these 2 examples where they gave me my money’s worth and more.

[Steve Van Doorn]

Worse then what money they waist is how they stop companies from producing anything that can compete with them. NASA is like the Church during the dark ages.

[SunkenCiv]

I thought pyroclastic flows were steam explosions, that is, that depend on the presence of water in the rock.

Nope, no water is required.

[SunkenCiv]

thanks Lurker. Did kevindavis get a ping?

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[SunkenCiv]

I guess the real mystery here is, how did the extinct Martian civilization manage to write in *huge English words* across the surface, as shown?!? ;’)

[Chani]

by the way, what ever happened with the other one?

It got the Durcells