There are mysteries out there in space, but how about solving these mysteries right here on Earth? That's right! Scientists have recently discovered meteorites found on Earth that originated from Mars. They have used an age-determination technique called "radiometric dating" to determine the true age of these rock fragments.
It is theorised that these meteorites must have originated from Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in our solar system, located on Mars. These meteorites are hundreds of years old and can be traced back to recent volcanic activity on Mars.
Dr Ben Cohen, along with researchers from the University of Glasgow, the Natural History Museum, and the University of Edinburgh, is determined to precisely determine the age of these meteorites.
Due to the numerous crater impacts on Mars, they release a tremendous amount of energy when they collide with the planet, forming what is known as an "impact crater."
The team employed the "argon-argon" dating method, which assesses the decay of potassium-40 into argon-40. This technique enables the precise determination of meteorite ages, irrespective of their initial age.
While some craters are small, possibly indicating minor collisions, others are much larger, indicating more intense impacts. Previously, Uranium-Lead dating methods were used to estimate the age of meteorites, but now the argon-40 dating method is preferred.
This method has revealed that the ages of these meteorites are relatively young and consistent with other dating methods, such as Uranium-Lead dating.
This discovery has sparked debates about the age of the Martian surface, which is believed to be three to four billion years old. Despite the significant presence of "Sherrgotite" meteorites on the red surface, they are estimated to be just a few hundred million years old. This phenomenon is referred to as the "Sherrgotite Age Paradox."
Dr. Ben Cohen suggests that strong impacts on Mars have created a loose layer of sediments known as the 'regolith' layer. This layer combines with freshly erupted rocks from the Martian surface, reducing the likelihood of older rocks being ejected into space.
This research represents a breakthrough in our understanding of the red planet, considering that there have been several research programs launched, such as the Mars Perseverance Program in 2020, the Curiosity Rover in 2011, and the upcoming ExoMars mission scheduled for 2028.
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