Lava formed on Mars primarily through the process of volcanism, where molten rock from the planet's interior rose and erupted onto the surface.
The Process of Volcanism
According to the definition of volcanism provided, it is a process in which magma from a planet's interior rises through the crust and erupts on the surface. This fundamental geological activity is how materials from deep within a planet make their way to its outer layer.
On Mars, like other rocky planets with internal heat, magma generated within the interior traveled upwards through cracks and conduits in the Martian crust. When this molten material reached the surface, it erupted.
What Erupts During Volcanism?
The materials released during a volcanic eruption are varied. The reference states that the erupted materials consist of:
- Molten rock (lava): This is the liquid rock that flows across the surface.
- Hot fragmental debris (tephra or ash): Solid pieces of rock and volcanic glass blasted from the vent.
- Gases: Various gases trapped within the magma are released during eruption.
Therefore, lava on Mars is essentially the molten rock that erupted onto the planet's surface as part of the volcanic process.
The Role of Volcanism
Volcanism is also a principal way that planets release their internal heat. On Mars, this process played a significant role in shaping the planet's surface and its internal thermal evolution over geological time. The vast lava flows and towering shield volcanoes observed on Mars are direct evidence of its extensive volcanic past.
