Geology of Mars

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/geology-of-mars

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary composition?Silicate rock and dust, rich in iron oxides
2. What is the major geological epochs?Noachian, Hesperian, and Amazonian periods
3. Why does Mars look red?Mars is covered in dust and rocks that contain iron oxides. These iron minerals give the planet its bright, reddish color.
4. What are the main time periods in Mars's history?Mars has three main ages: the Noachian (about 4.1 to 3.7 billion years ago), the Hesperian (about 3.7 to 3.0 billion years ago), and the Amazonian (from 3.0 billion years ago to today). Each period shows different kinds of rocks and landscapes.

Areology: The scientific discipline dedicated to the study of the geology of Mars.
Planetary Dichotomy: The stark difference in elevation and crustal thickness between Mars's northern and southern hemispheres.
Fluvial Systems: Landforms and geological features created by the flow of liquid water.