Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

neufer · Post by **neufer** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:21 pm

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090330.html wrote:
Explanation: Is this a mud volcano on Mars? If so, could it be dredging up martian microbes? This strange possibility has been suggested recently and seems to fit several recent observations of Mars. First of all, hills like this seem to better resemble mud volcanoes on Earth than lava volcanoes and impact craters on Mars. Next, the pictured dome has an unusually textured surface consistent with fractured ice. Infrared images from space indicate that hills like this cool more quickly than surrounding rock, consistent with a dried mud composition. The hills also reflect colors consistent with a composition that formed in the presence of water. Finally, unusual plumes of gas containing methane have been found on Mars with unknown origin. These gas plumes could conceivably have been liberated by mud volcanoes, were the initially warm mud to contain methane-producing microbes drifting in a previously unobservable underground lake. A candidate mud volcano over 100 meters across is pictured above in the northern plains of Mars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQw9lrsnp-4&NR=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_volcanoes wrote:
<<The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. Temperatures are much cooler than igneous processes. The largest structures are 10 km in diameter and reach 700 metres in height. About 86% of released gases are methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials often are a slurry of fine solids suspended in liquids which may include water (frequently acidic or salty) and hydrocarbon fluids.

Approximately 1,100 mud volcanoes have been identified on land and in shallow water. It has been estimated that well over 10,000 may exist on continental slopes and abyssal plains. Mud volcanoes are frequently associated with earthquake zones. Many scientists suggest monitoring gas emissions and activity of mud volcanoes, because they can be suitable to predict strong earthquakes.>>

bystander · Post by **bystander** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:30 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq5nLhDeuds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpQxn_8fcQA

http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/geoth ... olcano.php

neufer · Post by **neufer** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:47 pm

bystander wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq5nLhDeuds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpQxn_8fcQA

http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/geoth ... olcano.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_volcanoes wrote:
The name of Yellowstone National Park's "Mud Volcano" feature and the surrounding area is misleading; it consists of hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles, rather than a true mud volcano. Depending upon the precise definition of the term mud volcano, the Yellowstone formation could be considered a hydrothermal mud volcano cluster. The feature is much less active than in its first recorded description, although the area is quite dynamic. Yellowstone is an active geothermal area with a magma chamber near the surface, and active gases are chiefly steam, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The mud volcano in Yellowstone was previously a mound, until suddenly, it tore itself apart into the formation seen today.

aristarchusinexile · Post by **aristarchusinexile** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 2:54 pm

The mother of all mud volcanoes?

neufer · Post by **neufer** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 3:43 pm

aristarchusinexile wrote:The mother of all mud volcanoes?

Not Anita Ekberg again!

--------------------------------
http://www.seinfeldscripts.com/TheSubway.htm
...................................................
*Kramer is in the "Off-track betting" office.
He is talking with a guy behind in the line.*

Guy: It's a little bit slow out there it rained last night.
.
Kramer: Oh, this baby loves the slob, loves it, eats it up.
. Eats the slob. Born in the slob. His father was a mudda'.
.
Guy: His father was a mudda'?
.
Kramer: His mother was a mudda'.
.
Guy: His mother was a mudda'?
.
Kramer: What did I just say?
--------------------------------

aristarchusinexile · Post by **aristarchusinexile** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 7:23 pm

neufer wrote:
aristarchusinexile wrote:The mother of all mud volcanoes?
Not Anita Ekberg again!

Great minds think alike, Neuf. Don't take that as an insult, either. But we really should request APOD include drumrolls in the smilies - like "drumroll ..... Anita Ekberg again". But honestly Neuf, I never got my eyes lower than her eyes .. kinda .. mostly ..

I must revisit. Thanks for the link .. hillarious, Neuf! You is the MAN!

Frenchy · Post by **Frenchy** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:35 pm

Anyone ever wonder what happened to Mar's atmosphere?

neufer · Post by **neufer** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:30 pm

Frenchy wrote:Anyone ever wonder what happened to Mar's atmosphere?

Code: Select all

Earth escape velocity 	11.2 km/s
Mars' escape velocity 	05.0 km/s

Frenchy · Post by **Frenchy** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:36 am

Shouldn't the frictional resistance of the atmosphere have held it in place?

apodman · Post by **apodman** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 2:48 am

Frenchy wrote:Anyone ever wonder what happened to Mar's atmosphere?

Frenchy wrote:Shouldn't the frictional resistance of the atmosphere have held it in place?

This link might be useful:

http://cseligman.com/text/planets/retention.htm

Frenchy · Post by **Frenchy** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:00 pm

Thank you!!

Starship Asterisk*

Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Mud Volcanoes of Yellowstone National Park

Re: Mud Volcanoes of Yellowstone National Park

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)

Re: Mars Mud Volcanoes? (APOD 2009 March 30)