Martian Meteorites Traced to Specific Impact Craters on Mars
Meteorites that strike Earth don’t always come from the deepest regions of our solar system—sometimes they originate from one of our closest planetary neighbors. Researchers have recovered hundreds of rocks that originated on Mars, with around 200 of them now being sourced to five specific impact craters located in two volcanic regions on the Red Planet. This discovery will help experts better understand the geological history of Mars.
Previous attempts to trace Martian meteorite origins using spectral matching have been largely unsuccessful due to the distance and dust covering Mars. However, a recent study published in Science Advances from the University of Alberta has made significant progress in identifying the origins of these meteorites.
The study’s findings rely on improved Martian physics modeling and remote sensing data to narrow down the meteorites’ origins. According to Chris Herd, a study co-author and professor at the University of Alberta, this advancement has unlocked the ability to revise previous calculations and understand the conditions under which the meteorites were ejected from Mars.
By identifying specific impact craters on Mars as the source of these meteorites, researchers can now begin revising Martian chronology and reconstructing Martian volcanic stratigraphy. This new information will fundamentally change how meteorites from Mars are studied and provide insights into the planet’s geological history.
With this breakthrough, scientists can now group Martian meteorites based on their shared history and location on the surface prior to reaching Earth. The study suggests that five craters in the Tharsis and Elysium volcanic regions are likely responsible for the roughly 200 meteorites analyzed.
