New research reveals that Earth's stable continents were formed by extremely high temperatures deep within the crust, driven by radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium, which facilitated the cooling and solidification of the crust. These processes, akin to forging metal, shaped Earth's landmasses and created a stable foundation for life, offering insights into planetary habitability and guiding the search for life on other planets.
A NASA discovery of carbonate minerals on Mars suggests the planet's past habitability was limited to brief 'oases' of liquid water, with long periods of desert, due to its weak volcanic activity and inability to maintain stable, warm conditions like Earth. This finding helps explain why Mars is currently barren and uninhabitable, and informs the search for past life on the planet.
NASA scientists have found a correlation between Earth's magnetic field strength and atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 540 million years, suggesting a possible link between deep Earth processes and surface habitability. The study analyzed historical data from minerals and rocks, revealing that magnetic field fluctuations and oxygen levels have followed similar patterns since the Cambrian explosion, potentially influenced by internal planetary dynamics.
New research suggests that gullies on Mars may have been shaped by the sublimation of carbon dioxide ice rather than just liquid water, potentially indicating that the planet's history of liquid water and habitability may have been shorter than previously thought. Lab experiments simulating Martian conditions demonstrated that CO2 sublimation can fluidize and sustain granular flows, raising questions about the duration of Mars' habitable period and its potential for supporting life.
New research led by Stanford University scientists has expanded the known limits for life on Earth and beyond by studying metabolic activity in extremely salty environments. The study, published in Science Advances, suggests that life can persist in environments with lower water activity levels than previously thought possible. The findings have implications for understanding habitable spaces in our solar system and the impact of increasing salinity on Earth's ecosystems. The research also aims to improve the detection of biological activity, which could aid in the search for life beyond our planet.
