Science and Environment

Exploring Martian Geology to Understand How Planets Sustain Life

Our neighboring planet, Mars, offers a stark contrast to Earth. While Earth has remained habitable and indeed inhabited for nearly all of its 4.5 billion year history, Mars apparently transitioned to a desert planet early in its history. In this presentation, Dr. Tutolo will discuss how our recent, surprising discovery of sedimentary carbonate minerals in Gale Crater, Mars has revised our understanding of the fate of Martian habitability, and what this means for the planet’s potential for having originated life.   

Return to details page.