The Red Planet's Rocky History
We've all heard that the Earth could be in big trouble if global temperatures rise by even a f degrees Celsius. A couple of degrees, scientists say, could cause widespread havoc as the ocean covering inhabited areas, and plants and anin vimal's would struggle to survive. Now multiply such chat 2 a million times, and you might get an idea of what the planet Mars has likely gone through. The red planet is lined with deep channels that must have formed when great masses of water passed through. The plains area in the north of the planet shows evidence that oceans once exist there. There is also a web of valleys across the Martian surface. All of this indicates a mild, moist climate that may even have supported life.
Yet today, we know that Mars is a bitterly cold, bone environment, inhospitable to life. At its equator, daily average temperatures hover around 60 degrees Celsius below zero (or about neg out negative 81 degrees Fahrenheit). Though water has been detected along the edges of impact craters, Mars is still a bleakly cold and desolate place. Billion 3 years ago, however, the planet must have been far warmer and more welcoming. What happened between then and now is a mystery to scientists. However, by studying Mar meteorites that have been found on Earth, they are beginning to find answers. One technique used is to progressively heat the meteorites (to as high as 1200 degrees Celsius). This causes th rocks to release gases from the different minerals within them in a sequence. Data from such experiments should yield a temperature history of the rocks. By learning when they were at w temperature, scientists hope to plot out the tumultuous geological history of the red planet.
Which statement most effectively summarizes this selection?
a. Climate change is the talk of the day, as everyone weighs in on the subject, warning O A. face a global doomsday if we do not change our ways quickly.
b. Using highly advanced scientific techniques, scientists are studying Martian meteor when the rocks were at what temperature, which will tell them how long they have
c. Daily temperatures on the red planet are too cold to sustain life, and though wate discovered seeping out of impact craters, it's unlikely that Mars had the capacity The scarred surface of Mars indicates that it has gone through catastrophic clim
d. scientists are studying Martian meteorites to learn what happened.