Mars Scientists Possibly Discovered a New Mineral, Indicating Longer Warm Periods on the Planet

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of scientists, led by Janice Bishop, has found a compelling match for a mysterious signal in Mars' reflected sunlight data. The signal is believed to come from a new type of mineral: ferric hydroxysulfate.

This intriguing mineral was found in two places: Aram Chaos and the plateau above Juventae Chasma. The clue to its existence appears in these locations, where the mineral alterations probably occurred during the Amazonian period, within the last three billion years.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggest that parts of Mars stayed chemically lively and warm enough, perhaps long after the planet dried out.

The reaction that forms ferric hydroxysulfate occurs when certain iron-rich salts are warmed and exposed to oxygen. Brief volcanic episodes or longer, low-grade geothermal warmth are the most likely heat sources for the mineral alterations.

In Aram Chaos, the suspect layers sit low in the stack, tucked beneath other sulfates, suggesting warmth rose from below. On the Juventae Plateau, the sulfate layers are sandwiched between two volcanic rock units, indicating heat from above. If the team is correct, there may be more of these warm-altered layers hiding in and around Valles Marineris.

The new mineral is a marker for places where Mars stayed geochemically active after it dried. The lab work determined that the change in mineral structure kicks in above roughly the boiling point of water. The reaction changes the mineral's structure just enough to give it a distinct infrared "voice," which is what the orbiter hears.

The discovery of ferric hydroxysulfate adds to the broader Martian geological development, as sulfates have served as breadcrumbs of ancient water on Mars. The future exploration of this potentially new mineral will be carried out by an interdisciplinary team including NASA and international collaborators from Europe and the USA, as led by PI Merve and supported by organizations such as the Swedish Research Council and the Europlanet TA program.

However, for the mineral to be officially recognised as a new mineral, scientists must find it on Earth. The discovery of ferric hydroxysulfate is a smart target for future missions hunting past habitability on Mars.

Mars Scientists Possibly Discovered a New Mineral, Indicating Longer Warm Periods on the Planet