lava

ESA's Mars Express has captured images revealing distinctive formations dubbed "spiders" dispersed across the southern polar region of Mars. These features are caused by a fascinating interplay of seasonal changes and geological processes. During the Martian winter, layers of carbon dioxide accumulate on the surface. Then, with the arrival of spring, sunlight penetrates the surface to cause a transformation. Solid, Liquid, Gas The European Space Agency’s Mars Express exploration has found that the bottom layer of carbon dioxide ice transitions directly into gas, exerting pressure and rupturing the overlying ice slabs. As this gas escapes to the surface, it carries dark dust particles, creating towering fountains or geysers that disperse the material across the landscape. Age-Old Obsession with Planet Mars