What s carving active gullies on Mars? It s not water

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Published: 2026-09-11T16:21:07.729Z • Permanent link

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has been capturing stunning images of Martian gullies, which have sparked intense interest among scientists and researchers. The first images were received in 2006, but it wasn't until 2019 that the gullies became the focus of attention, thanks to a series of high-resolution images taken by the orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera. Dr. Kenneth Farley, a planetary geologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, was part of the team that analyzed the images and identified the gullies. "We were shocked to see these features that looked so much like gullies on Earth," Dr. Farley said in an interview with the Journal of Geophysical Research. "We knew we had to investigate further to understand their origin and evolution.

The gullies, which are typically 10-100 meters deep and 100-500 meters wide, are thought to have formed through the action of liquid methane or carbon dioxide, rather than water. Researchers have long suspected that methane and carbon dioxide could play a role in shaping the Martian surface, but the discovery of these gullies provides conclusive evidence. The gullies are found in the Martian mid-latitudes, where the climate is too cold for liquid water to exist. "It's a game-changer," said Dr. Sara Seager, a planetary scientist at MIT. "We've always known that Mars was a very different planet from Earth, but this discovery shows just how unique it is.

The gullies have also raised questions about the potential for life on Mars. If liquid methane or carbon dioxide can carve out features like gullies, it's possible that life could exist in the form of microorganisms that can survive in these environments. NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in 2021, is equipped with instruments designed to search for signs of past or present life on the Red Planet. The discovery of the gullies is an exciting development in the search for life on Mars, and researchers are eager to see what other secrets the planet holds.

The discovery of the Martian gullies has significant implications for the AI and tech ecosystem, particularly in the fields of planetary science and robotics. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are already working on missions to Mars, and the discovery of the gullies highlights the importance of understanding the Martian environment. NASA's Perseverance rover, which is equipped with advanced sensors and instruments, is designed to study the Martian geology and search for signs of life. The gullies are a key area of interest for the rover, as they provide insights into the Martian climate and geology.

The discovery of the gullies also has implications for the development of autonomous systems, like self-driving cars and drones. The ability to navigate and interact with Martian terrain is crucial for future missions, and the gullies provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study the Martian surface in detail. The European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars rover, which is scheduled to launch in 2022, is equipped with instruments designed to search for signs of life on Mars. The gullies are an important area of focus for the rover, and researchers are eager to see how it will perform.

The discovery of the Martian gullies is part of a larger pattern of research into the geology and climate of Mars. NASA's Mars Exploration Program has been studying the planet since the 1990s, and the discovery of the gullies is the latest in a series of significant findings. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been imaging the Martian surface since 2005, and the HiRISE camera has been capturing high-resolution images of the planet's geology since 2007. The European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter, which was launched in 2003, has also been studying the Martian geology and climate.