An Overview of the History of Mars


Images from: NASA

The terrestrial planets formed by accretion of rocky material and volatiles out of the primitive solar nebula. As they finished forming, about 4 Billion Years ago, the surface continued to be bombarded by the remanent of planetary material available nearby. This period is called the Period of Late, Heavy Bombardment. During this time, there was probably abundant water on the surface of Mars, and under ground. There was probably volcanic activity as well as plate tectonics. From the Period of Late, Heavy Bombardment forward, this is probably what happened to Mars:

The changes in climate probably persist to the present day, but the rest of the history of Mars was finished 3.5 Billion Years ago.

The reasons these things happened to Mars, and not to the Earth or Venus has to do with the small size of Mars, and the fact that Mars is farther from the sun that either the Earth or Venus. Some scientists call this the "Goldilocks" phenomenon.


An Overview of the History of Mars


Images from: NASA

This is probably what happened to Mars:

  • an early warm period
  • the inside of Mars cools off very fast
  • volcanoes appeared, and the Tharsis Bulge is created
  • changes in climate every once and awhile, which affect the way in which the frozen water of Mars comes to the surface.
The changes in climate may persist to the present day, but the rest of the history of Mars was finished 3.5 Billion Years ago.

The reason that the history of Mars is this way has to do with the fact that Mars is small, and the fact that Mars is farther from the sun that either the Earth or Venus. Some scientists call this the "Goldilocks" phenomenon.


A Look at the History of Mars


Images from: NASA

This is probably what happened to Mars:

  • an early warm period
  • the inside of Mars cools off very fast
  • volcanoes appeared, and the Tharsis Bulge is created
  • there are changes in climate every once and awhile, which affect the way in which the frozen water of Mars comes to the surface.

The reason that the history of Mars is this way has to do with the fact that Mars is small, and the fact that Mars is farther from the sun that either the Earth or Venus. Some scientists call this the "Goldilocks" phenomenon.



Last modified January 15, 1997 by the Windows Team

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