Sulphur Volcanoes on Mars May Have Warmed the Planet

Mars, the subject of a new study that suggests volcanic emissions may have kept ancient Mars warm enough to support life (Credit : Kevin Gill)

Is it possible that Mars could have once been warm enough to support life? New research suggests that volcanic emissions billions of years ago may have created a greenhouse effect that made the red planet surprisingly hospitable, challenging our understanding of early Martian climate. The key lies in unusual sulphur compounds that ancient Martian volcanoes released into the atmosphere.