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Frosty Surprise: Ice Found on Mars's Towering Equatorial Volcanoes

A futuristic astronaut stands on the dark, rocky surface of an alien moon, gazing at a breathtaking celestial view. The explorer wears a sleek, white and silver spacesuit with glowing blue accents. In the star-filled sky above, a massive blue and purple ringed planet hangs majestically, its bright rings clearly visible, with another large celestial body nearby, conveying the awe of deep space exploration.

October 3, 2025

In a stunning revelation, scientists have detected water frost atop Mars's giant equatorial volcanoes, challenging previous models of the Red Planet's water cycle.

In a discovery that challenges long-held assumptions about Mars's climate, scientists have confirmed the presence of water frost on the summits of the colossal Tharsis volcanoes. Located near the planet's equator, this region was previously thought to be far too warm for frost to form. The finding, made possible by observations from the European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) and Mars Express, opens a new chapter in our understanding of the Martian water cycle.

A Thin but Vast Phenomenon

The frost is incredibly thin—about the width of a human hair—but it covers an immense area. Each morning for a few hours after sunrise, a delicate layer of ice coats the volcano calderas before it sublimates, or turns directly into vapor, under the morning sun. Despite its fleeting nature, the total amount of water is estimated to be around 150,000 tonnes, equivalent to 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools, cycling between the surface and atmosphere daily during the colder seasons.

An Unexpected Microclimate

The existence of this frost is attributed to a unique microclimate created by the volcanoes themselves. Winds carry moisture-rich air up the massive slopes. As the air reaches the high-altitude summits, it cools and condenses in the lower atmospheric pressure within the calderas, forming a thin layer of frost. This process demonstrates that Mars is a more dynamic planet than previously believed, with complex atmospheric processes occurring even in unexpected locations.

  • Olympus Mons: The largest volcano in the solar system, standing nearly three times the height of Mount Everest.
  • Arsia Mons: One of the three prominent volcanoes known as the Tharsis Montes.
  • Ascraeus Mons: The northernmost of the Tharsis Montes volcanoes.
  • Ceraunius Tholus: Another of the volcanoes in the region where frost was observed.

Finding water in a region where we thought it was impossible fundamentally changes our models of Mars's water cycle. It shows us that there are still surprising secrets to uncover on the Red Planet.

- Dr. Adomas Valantinas, Lead Author, University of Bern

This discovery not only enhances our scientific models of Mars's climate but also has important implications for future human and robotic exploration. Understanding where water exists and how it cycles is crucial for identifying potential resources and searching for signs of past life.

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Frosty Surprise: Ice Found on Mars's Towering Equatorial Volcanoes - FAQs

Thin layers of water frost were discovered within the calderas (summit craters) of the massive Tharsis volcanoes, including Olympus Mons, near Mars's equator.

Mars's equatorial region receives intense sunlight and has a very thin atmosphere, creating conditions generally considered too warm for water frost to form or persist.

A unique microclimate is responsible. Winds push moist air up the volcano slopes into the low-pressure calderas, where it cools and condenses into frost overnight.

The discovery was a collaborative effort using high-resolution color images and data from the European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express.