Martian Rock Reveals Planet’s Ancient History
A piece of Martian rock, known as the “Lafayette Meteorite,” has provided valuable insights into the geological past of Mars. Researchers at Purdue University used isotopic dating to determine that the meteorite likely interacted with liquid water around 742 million years ago.
The journey of the Lafayette Meteorite to Earth was a fascinating one. Originating from an asteroid impact on Mars about 11 million years ago, the meteorite traveled through space before landing in Indiana. Discovered in a Purdue University biology department drawer in 1929, this small rock has a big story to tell.
After being donated to Chicago’s Field Museum in the 1980s, experts found evidence of Martian atmosphere gases trapped within the Lafayette Meteorite. Analysis also revealed signs of past interactions with liquid water on Mars, dating back to a specific timeframe approximately 742 million years ago.
In a recent study published in Geochemical Perspective Letters, researchers from Purdue University shed light on the meteorite’s history. Lead author Marissa Tremblay explained that the water likely came from melting subsurface ice caused by magmatic activity on Mars.
Despite spending millions of years in space, the Lafayette Meteorite’s age and composition remained relatively unaffected. This discovery opens up possibilities for dating methodologies on other meteorites and planets, potentially uncovering more clues about water sources in the solar system.
