All volcanoes on Mars are extinct. Is it an old planet?

[theprinceofthisworld]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

 

[Aldebaran]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

View attachment 353945

Hard to say either way.
Mercury has no active volcanoes, but Venus and Earth do. Way out to Pluto, you'll find "ice" volcanoes.
In between are the gaseous planets, but they have moons with widely varying degrees of volcanism.
So the distance to the sun doesn't seem to affect age of the planet if volcanic activity is a gauge for determining how old a planet is.
Their age doesn't seem to affect volcanic activity, but rather stresses put upon the planet. For example, Jupiter puts great gravitational stress upon its moon, and the volcanic activity on some of them is off-the-charts.
If a black hole were to make its way through our solar system, Mars would probably become quite volcanically active.

 

[Hans Blaster]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

View attachment 353945

Both Mars and Earth are the same age, 4.5 Gyr.

Most vulcanism is driven by radioactive decays. Mars is a small planet with less radioactive material and it cools quicker than the Earth. This is the same reason that vulcanism is dead on Mercury, the Moon, and not dead on Venus.

 

[AlexB23]

Both Mars and Earth are the same age, 4.5 Gyr.

Most vulcanism is driven by radioactive decays. Mars is a small planet with less radioactive material and it cools quicker than the Earth. This is the same reason that vulcanism is dead on Mercury, the Moon, and not dead on Venus.

Yep, both Mars and Earth are roughly 4.5 billion years old, and as Mars is smaller, the volcanism ended 53,000 years ago, according to a 2020 study. Congrats, you have met an Old-Earth Creationist.

Quote from study: "We calculate a lower bound on the age for the northern portion of the CFmu of 53 ± 7 ka using only bright ejecta craters north of the fissure and an upper bound on the age of 210 ± 12 ka by including both dark and bright ejecta craters north of the fissure, both using the Hartmann (2005) production function (Figure 8a)."

2020 Study:

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2011.05956

By the way, Io (Jovian moon) should not have any volcanoes, cos that moon is smaller than Mars (Io's mass is 121% that of Earth's moon), but due to gravitational pulls of Jupiter, Io is extremely active, if not the most volcanic object in the solar system.

Io Info:

Io, Jupiter’s chaotic volcano moon

Io, one of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, is known for its explosivity.

www.planetary.org

Io (moon) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Hans Blaster]

Yep, both Mars and Earth are roughly 4.5 billion years old, and as Mars is smaller, the volcanism ended 53,000 years ago, according to a 2020 study. Congrats, you have met an Old-Earth Creationist.

Those values are the result of science, not any creationist faith.

Quote from study: "We calculate a lower bound on the age for the northern portion of the CFmu of 53 ± 7 ka using only bright ejecta craters north of the fissure and an upper bound on the age of 210 ± 12 ka by including both dark and bright ejecta craters north of the fissure, both using the Hartmann (2005) production function (Figure 8a)."

2020 Study:

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2011.05956

By the way, Io (Jovian moon) should not have any volcanoes, cos that moon is smaller than Mars (Io's mass is 121% that of Earth's moon), but due to gravitational pulls of Jupiter, Io is extremely active, if not the most volcanic object in the solar system.

Io Info:

Io, Jupiter’s chaotic volcano moon

Io, one of Jupiter's four Galilean moons, is known for its explosivity.

www.planetary.org

Io (moon) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[AlexB23]

Those values are the result of science, not any creationist faith.

That is true. I enjoy science, and feel that science and faith go hand in hand. But regardless of that, it is cool how volcanism on Mars ended a mere 53,000 years ago compared to the age of Mars, which is 4,500,000,000 years. That means for 99.9988% of Mars' existence, the planet has been active, until very recently.

 

[Hans Blaster]

That is true. I enjoy science, and feel that science and faith go hand in hand. But regardless of that, it is cool how volcanism on Mars ended a mere 53,000 years ago compared to the age of Mars, which is 4,500,000,000 years. That means for 99.9988% of Mars' existence, the planet has been active, until very recently.

The article doesn't say volcanism ended 53 kya, only that if that eruption was just 53 kya then Mars should be considered active. Geologists can be kind of weird about what is an active volcano. The Newberry Volcano in Oregon last erupted 1300 years ago and is considered to be active.

 

[AlexB23]

The article doesn't say volcanism ended 53 kya, only that if that eruption was just 53 kya then Mars should be considered active. Geologists can be kind of weird about what is an active volcano. The Newberry Volcano in Oregon last erupted 1300 years ago and is considered to be active.

Wait, what? I did not know that, as I thought active volcanoes had to have a certain time frame in order to be considered active. 53,000 years is a long time. But yes, I see geologists points, as the Newberry Volcano is still active even though the last eruption was in 690 AD, cos I just checked.

Just checked the USGS, and apparently, for Earth, volcanoes can be considered active if at least one eruption happened since roughly ~10,000 BC.

Quote from USGS: "Most volcanologists would say that a volcano or volcanic field that has erupted within the Holocene (the current geologic epoch, which began at the end of the most recent ice age about 11,650 years ago), or that has the potential to erupt again in the future, should be considered “active.” This does not mean that the volcano is erupting right now, although such a volcano would certainly qualify as “active.” Rather, it means that the volcano has a youthful magmatic system, and if it is not erupting now, it could be in the future."

Sources:

Active, dormant, and extinct: Clarifying confusing classifications

What is the difference between an active volcano, a dormant volcano, and an extinct volcano? It can be a confusing way to describe volcanic activity...

www.usgs.gov

Eruption History of Newberry Volcano

Eruption history of Newberry Volcano.

www.usgs.gov

 

[ViaCrucis]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

View attachment 353945

They are both old planets. All the planets in the solar system formed from the accretion cloud after our sun formed ~4.5 billions years ago.

Mars is no longer geologically active, the earth is. Mars is smaller than the earth, and cooled quicker. Given enough time the earth would also cease to be geologically active. But as I understand it, the sun will run out of hydrogen before that would happen.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Hans Blaster]

Wait, what? I did not know that, as I thought active volcanoes had to have a certain time frame in order to be considered active. 53,000 years is a long time. But yes, I see geologists points, as the Newberry Volcano is still active even though the last eruption was in 690 AD, cos I just checked.

Just checked the USGS, and apparently, for Earth, volcanoes can be considered active if at least one eruption happened since roughly ~10,000 BC.

Quote from USGS: "Most volcanologists would say that a volcano or volcanic field that has erupted within the Holocene (the current geologic epoch, which began at the end of the most recent ice age about 11,650 years ago), or that has the potential to erupt again in the future, should be considered “active.” This does not mean that the volcano is erupting right now, although such a volcano would certainly qualify as “active.” Rather, it means that the volcano has a youthful magmatic system, and if it is not erupting now, it could be in the future."

Sources:

Active, dormant, and extinct: Clarifying confusing classifications

What is the difference between an active volcano, a dormant volcano, and an extinct volcano? It can be a confusing way to describe volcanic activity...

www.usgs.gov

Eruption History of Newberry Volcano

Eruption history of Newberry Volcano.

www.usgs.gov

In this case it is not just one volcano, but the whole planet. If there is one eruption from 50 thousand years ago, then they can't exclude that there aren't newer flows that haven't been found. (Not enough field geologists on site.) If there was no vulcanism in the last 50 million years then inactive is more likely to be the case. Mars (with this new finding) seems to be the only world in the system where active or inactive is at issue, so there isn't some sort of heuristic like with individual volcanoes. Now back to the eruption...

 

[AlexB23]

In this case it is not just one volcano, but the whole planet. If there is one eruption from 50 thousand years ago, then they can't exclude that there aren't newer flows that haven't been found. (Not enough field geologists on site.) If there was no vulcanism in the last 50 million years then inactive is more likely to be the case. Mars (with this new finding) seems to be the only world in the system where active or inactive is at issue, so there isn't some sort of heuristic like with individual volcanoes. Now back to the eruption...

This is fascinating. We should send a team of geologists to Mars to test the rocks and age of the lava flows on that planet. It seems that the activity of the planet of Mars is up in the air, and until another eruption happens or we discover a newer lava flow, then we will never know if the planet is still active. Ahh, astronomy, one of my favorite subjects. If this new 2020 study and future studies show that Mars is still active, then, Mars may not be extinct.

If Mars is still active, could the heat from the core facilitate bacterial or even small multicellular life underground?

 

[theprinceofthisworld]

They are both old planets. All the planets in the solar system formed from the accretion cloud after our sun formed ~4.5 billions years ago.

Mars is no longer geologically active, the earth is. Mars is smaller than the earth, and cooled quicker. Given enough time the earth would also cease to be geologically active. But as I understand it, the sun will run out of hydrogen before that would happen.

-CryptoLutheran

The formation of the planets and their age seems like a mystery. I've my theory: Earth and Mars
were formed with solar surface explosions. They then balled up under gravity and took on an elliptical shape as they rotated. Furthermore, since there are charged particles on the solar surface, the rotation of the planet produces a magnetic field like that of a spiral. Reflecting on the new creation and the new bodies, man probably lived in another world when he was created, and was then 'catapulted' to Earth together with animals and plants. It's just my opinion.
The extinction of volcanoes would depend on the cooling of the lava... therefore also the age of the planets. But it remains a great mystery

 

[Hans Blaster]

The formation of the planets and their age seems like a mystery. I've my theory: Earth and Mars
were formed with solar surface explosions.

That's not how stars work. Plus anything erupted from the surface of the Sun is less than 2% made of the elements that make up the primary composition of the Earth.

They then balled up under gravity and took on an elliptical shape as they rotated.

Planets do condense from self-gravity, but not of solar ejecta, but instead of the disk of material rotating around the star that does not accrete onto it. The basic idea was formed over 200 years ago and we can now see planets forming in disks around other stars.

Furthermore, since there are charged particles on the solar surface, the rotation of the planet produces a magnetic field like that of a spiral.

The basic magnetic field of the Earth is a dipole, not a spiral. It has nothing to do with charged particles on the Sun, but instead the convective motion of the iron core of the Earth.

Reflecting on the new creation and the new bodies, man probably lived in another world when he was created, and was then 'catapulted' to Earth together with animals and plants.

Humans, the rest of the animals, the plants, and other lifeforms are native to the Earth. The Earth was around for millions of years before life existed and billions of years before humans did.

It's just my opinion.

My statements are based on established scientific facts and theories. Opinions were not needed.

The extinction of volcanoes would depend on the cooling of the lava... therefore also the age of the planets. But it remains a great mystery

The behavior of volcanoes is not dependent on the cooling of lava which has already erupted, but the availability of magma to drive eruptions. They haven't stopped. I'm watching one erupt on YouTube right now:

As I already stated, the cores of small planets have frozen and no longer have volcanoes. (Excepting the gas giant moons heated by tidal interactions.) Mars may be in the intermediate state of some, but little volcanism currently. These are not great mysteries, which is why I can write these things about it.

 

[Shemjaza]

The formation of the planets and their age seems like a mystery. I've my theory: Earth and Mars
were formed with solar surface explosions. They then balled up under gravity and took on an elliptical shape as they rotated. Furthermore, since there are charged particles on the solar surface, the rotation of the planet produces a magnetic field like that of a spiral. Reflecting on the new creation and the new bodies, man probably lived in another world when he was created, and was then 'catapulted' to Earth together with animals and plants. It's just my opinion.

It's been a while since I studied Astronomy, but I do remember a very successful model where the planets were formed by supersonic turbulence in the early solar system. As the sun contracted rings would spin off and form the planets one at a time.

The extinction of volcanoes would depend on the cooling of the lava... therefore also the age of the planets. But it remains a great mystery


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There's two additional issues in that the heat of the planetary cores is partially radioactive in origin and that the planets are quite different in size so will cool down/run out of power at different rates.

 

[Larniavc]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

View attachment 353945

All the planets are the same age unless it was not part of the formation of the Solar system.

 

[AV1611VET]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?
View attachment 353945

Both Mars and Earth are as old as God willed them to be, when He created them.

But they have only been in existence since 4004 BC.

Physical Age: God's will
Existential Age: 6027 years

 

[dlamberth]

If yes, is Earth a young planet?

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When compared to the age of the Universe being 13.7 Billion years old , the Earth being 4.5 Billion is a fairly young planet.

 

[AlexB23]

When compared to the age of the Universe being 13.7 Billion years old , the Earth being 4.5 Billion is a fairly young planet.

You mean 13.8 billion years, as the universe is closer to 13.8 billion years old, according to the latest data at 13.787 ± 0.020 billion years.
The Earth is also closer to 4.54 billion years old.

Just messin' with you.

Age of the universe:

Age of the universe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Age of the Earth:

How Did Scientists Calculate the Age of Earth?

The examination and analysis of rocks on Earth’s surface, and of extraterrestrial rocks, have enabled scientists to determine the approximate age of the planet.

education.nationalgeographic.org

 

[Niels]

Both Mars and Earth are the same age, 4.5 Gyr.

Most vulcanism is driven by radioactive decays. Mars is a small planet with less radioactive material and it cools quicker than the Earth. This is the same reason that vulcanism is dead on Mercury, the Moon, and not dead on Venus.

They are roughly the same age, but the planets probably coalesced at slightly different times due to factors like composition and distance from the sun.

I find it interesting how these things, along with size and relative mass, apparently shape their development.

Considering how it appears to have lost much of its atmosphere and lacks a magnetosphere, Mars appears to have aged more rapidly than Earth. This casts some doubt on whether it can be terraformed and turned into a more human-friendly place. Lack of sufficient volcanic activity might also discourage long-term habitation in terms of how it effects the environment.

 

[Shemjaza]

They are roughly the same age, but the planets probably coalesced at slightly different times due to factors like composition and distance from the sun.

I find it interesting how these things, along with size and relative mass, apparently shape their development.

Considering how it appears to have lost much of its atmosphere and lacks a magnetosphere, Mars appears to have aged more rapidly than Earth. This casts some doubt on whether it can be terraformed and turned into a more human-friendly place. Lack of sufficient volcanic activity might also discourage long-term habitation in terms of how it effects the environment.

Any terraforming of Mars might ultimately be temporary on a geological scale... but that's irrelevant to a technological civilisation capable of performing the changes in the first place.