Geologists have discovered an abundance of quartzite rocks on the volcanic island of Anjouan, located in the southwestern Indian Ocean. This is unusual because the island is made of basalt and should not contain quartzite, a sedimentary rock typically found in river deltas. The presence of quartzite suggests that a piece of continental crust was deposited in the ocean basin and raised up by the volcanic activity. The discovery challenges the principles of plate tectonics and raises questions about the island's geological history. Further research is needed to determine the origin and age of the quartzite.
Olympus Mons, the tallest volcano in the Solar System located on Mars, could have been a massive volcanic island in an ancient Martian ocean, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed features on the slopes of Olympus Mons and the elevated shorelines of the Tharsis Montes volcanic region, finding morphological similarities with volcanic islands on Earth. The study suggests that Olympus Mons and the surrounding region were formed during Mars' Hesperian Period, when the planet had a denser atmosphere, flowing water, and a warmer environment. Understanding the duration of Mars' water environment is crucial for astrobiology studies and determining the potential for the emergence of life on the planet.
Recent research suggests that Olympus Mons, the giant volcano on Mars, may have once been a volcanic island in a vast Martian ocean. Morphological similarities between Olympus Mons and active volcanic islands on Earth, as well as features on the northern flank of another Martian volcano, support the idea of a past ocean on Mars. Precise dating of volcanic rocks could provide valuable insights into the planet's climatic evolution.
