Gas Bursts Hint at Ongoing Volcanic Activity on Mars

WHO:

Futurism - An international team of researchers examined observations from the European and Russian ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.

Futurism - Colead author Daniel Mège is a professor at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Futurism - Mège said the findings suggest Mars retained enough internal heat to support volcanic activity until recently and possibly still does.

WHAT:

Science Daily - Mysterious gas emissions and fresh volcanic fissures suggest Mars may not be geologically dead; hot magma may remain active underground.

Futurism - A paper in *Science Advances* reports that the Trace Gas Orbiter detected hydrogen chloride emissions from Mars.

Futurism - The team identified new fissures thousands of feet long and discolorations along them; the researchers concluded the discolorations may come from seeping gases leaving mineral deposits.

Futurism - Mège described the orbiter’s detection as “the smoking gun” and said it found “a handful of molecules from a perhaps intermittent source” while monitoring the Martian atmosphere.

Science Daily - The findings could indicate hidden sources of warmth and chemical energy beneath the surface that might support microbial life.

Futurism - Mège said seeping fissures could be useful places to search for Martian life; active hydrothermal systems could provide microorganisms with ingredients and energy and shield them from the surface environment.

WHERE:

Futurism - Hydrogen chloride spikes were observed around the flanks of Alba Mons, described as Mars’s largest volcano by surface area.

Futurism - The fissures were found in the Alba Mons region.

Science Daily - The potential warmth and chemical energy are beneath the Martian surface.

WHY:

Futurism - Researchers investigated hydrogen chloride spikes that occurred in unexpected places and at unusual times, despite seasonal variations in emissions.

Futurism - The findings may have implications for ancient life, suggesting Mars may have had a warmer, thicker atmosphere and abundant surface liquid water in the relatively recent past.

HOW:

Futurism - The team analyzed data collected by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter; the article says the data showed Mars slowly emitting hydrogen chloride.

Futurism - Researchers proposed that the gas is released by hot magma beneath the surface and that gas seepage may leave mineral deposits along fissures.

(UPDATED November 8, 2026 11:56 UTC)

Mars may still harbor active magma, after researchers detected hydrogen chloride emissions and fresh fissures. The ExoMars orbiter spotted gas near Alba Mons, while fissures may leak mineral-forming gases. Researchers say underground warmth could support microbes, making these Martian fissures promising places to search.