{"id":379137,"date":"2026-03-02T15:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T05:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T05:01:00","slug":"scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=379137","title":{"rendered":"Scoria Cones on Earth and Mars"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 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href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A downward-looking satellite image shows several reddish scoria cones in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Arizona. The scoria cones look like small hills with circular vents. A darker-colored cone called SP Crater has a black lava flow extending northward from it.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=300&#038;h=271&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=768&#038;h=693&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=924&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=400&#038;h=361&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=600&#038;h=542&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=900&#038;h=813&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespansharpdem_oli_20250619.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1083&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">June 19, 2025 (Earth)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1300\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A downward-looking satellite image shows several scoria cones in the Ulysses Colles volcanic field on Mars. The cones look like small hills against a textured background of lava flows, circular impact craters, and linear features called grabens. The landscape is reddish.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=300&#038;h=271&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=768&#038;h=693&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=924&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=400&#038;h=361&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=600&#038;h=542&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=900&#038;h=813&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1083&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">May 7, 2014 (Mars)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Since the 1970s, planetary geologists have known that volcanic features cover large swaths of Mars. Early <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/mariner-9\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mariner 9<\/a> images revealed massive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/articles\/000\/shield-volcanoes.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">shield volcanoes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Science_Exploration\/Space_Science\/Mars_Express\/Lava_flows_in_Daedalia_Planum\" rel=\"noopener\">lava plains<\/a> on a scale unlike anything on Earth. <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/viking-1-orbiter-image-olympus-mons\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Olympus Mons<\/a>, the tallest volcano in the solar system, stands nearly three times higher than Mount Everest. <a href=\"https:\/\/themis.asu.edu\/zoom-20250714a\" rel=\"noopener\">Alba Mons<\/a>, the planet\u2019s widest volcano, spans a distance comparable to the length of the continental United States.<\/p>\n<p>Both Olympus Mons and Alba Mons were primarily built by basaltic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geolsoc.org.uk\/ks3\/gsl\/education\/resources\/rockcycle\/page3599.html\" rel=\"noopener\">effusive eruptions<\/a>\u2014relatively calm outpourings of \u201crunny\u201d lavas that spread across the surface in sheets. This is thought to be the most common type of volcanism on Mars, accounting for the vast majority of its volcanic landforms. However, a small portion was produced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgs.ac.uk\/discovering-geology\/earth-hazards\/volcanoes\/eruption-styles\/\" rel=\"noopener\">explosive volcanism<\/a> of the sort that forms <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/types-volcanic-cones\/\" rel=\"noopener\">volcanic cones<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/education.nationalgeographic.org\/resource\/pyroclastic-flow\/\" rel=\"noopener\">pyroclastic flows<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/programs\/VHP\/ashfall-most-widespread-and-frequent-volcanic-hazard\" rel=\"noopener\">ashfalls<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The dearth of explosive volcanic features on Mars has long puzzled geologists. With an average atmospheric pressure 160 times lower than Earth\u2019s and only a third of the gravity, explosive eruptions should theoretically occur more easily on the Red Planet, said Petr Bro\u017e, a planetary geologist with the Czech Academy of Sciences. That rarity is part of what makes features like the volcanic cones (shown above) found in Mars\u2019 Ulysses Colles region so compelling to planetary geologists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey appear to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/earth-and-planetary-sciences\/cinder-cone\" rel=\"noopener\">scoria cones<\/a>\u2014a clear sign of explosive volcanism,\u201d Bro\u017e added. \u201cThey were the first identified in the Tharsis region in the 2010s, and they helped paint a broader and more complete picture of Martian volcanism.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/resource\/context-camera-for-mars-reconnaissance-orbiter\/\" rel=\"noopener\">CTX<\/a> (Context Camera) on NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter<\/a> captured this image (second image above) of Ulysses Colles above on May 7, 2014. Ulysses Colles is located at the southern edge of <a href=\"https:\/\/ui.adsabs.harvard.edu\/abs\/2023JGRE..12807633S\/abstract\" rel=\"noopener\">Ulysses Fossae<\/a>, a group of troughs within the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/3d-resources\/mars-tharsis\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Tharsis volcanic region<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-8\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 8<\/a> captured an image with similar cones in the San Francisco Volcanic Field (SFVF) in northern Arizona on June 19, 2025 (top). Planetary geologists consider the cones in the two locations to be highly analogous. Both images also include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/earthword-graben\" rel=\"noopener\">grabens<\/a>\u2014linear blocks of crust that have shifted downward.<\/p>\n<p>In both images, the scoria cones appear as rounded hills crowned with circular vents, while lava flows spread outward as dark, textured areas around the bases of the cones. At both locations, seemingly younger and smaller lava flows appear to spill from some cones, while older, more weathered flows lie in the background.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A closer view of SP Crater (left) shows the scoria cone with a long, dark lava flow extending from its northern edge. At two points, the flows spills into a linear feature called a graben on the left side of the image. The image is paired with a similar but redder image of a scoria cone on Mars (right) with a more weathered lava flow extending north from it.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 720w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconeszmcomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cUnderstanding similar features on Earth helps us know what\u00a0to look for on Mars and interpret processes that\u00a0we can\u2019t observe directly,\u201d said Patrick Whelley, a NASA volcanologist who is <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/blogs\/notes-from-the-field\/2018\/01\/11\/goddard-instrument-field-team\/\" rel=\"noopener\">part of a team<\/a> that develops field equipment and techniques for Moon and Mars exploration.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.usgs.gov\/publication\/ofr20211072\" rel=\"noopener\">SP Crater<\/a> (above left), located in Arizona\u2019s San Francisco Volcanic Field, features a 7-kilometer-long lava flow that extends northward and has been used for NASA astronaut <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hou.usra.edu\/meetings\/lpsc2022\/pdf\/2282.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">geology training<\/a>. In two places, the flow has spilled into a graben, creating a distinctive half-moon pattern along its left side.<\/p>\n<p>On Earth, scoria cones form when gas-rich magmas soar high into the air and solidify into small particles of material called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/scoria\" rel=\"noopener\">scoria<\/a> that accumulate in steep-sided structures. While similar processes create cones on Earth and Mars, there are important differences. Martian scoria cones are typically taller, wider, and have gentler slopes, Flynn said. That makes sense. With lower gravity and atmospheric pressure, volcanic fountains can loft erupted magma higher and farther from the vent, producing larger cones.<\/p>\n<p>There are far more scoria cones on Earth, where tens of thousands exist and account for about 90 percent of volcanoes on land. On Mars, \u201cwe have only identified tens to a few hundred candidates,\u201d Broz said. It could be that explosive volcanism was never common on Mars, or it could be that it was but that explosive features have been covered up by younger, effusive flows or destroyed by erosion, he added. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Whelley noted that on Mars, it remains unclear whether the Martian lava flows or the scoria cones formed first. The lava flow could be older, with the cone forming on top. Or, the cone may have formed first and later become plugged, forcing lava to spill from its side. Determining the order of events is one of the \u201cpuzzles of geology\u201d that planetary geologists try to solve when studying Martian features remotely, he said. \u201cVisiting places like the San Francisco Volcanic Field and studying the geology of analogous features up close on Earth helps us know what clues to look for when interpreting Martian geology.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Below (left) is a closer view of a scoria cone on Earth, southeast of SP Crater, called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/volcanoes\/san-francisco-volcanic-field\/science\/sunset-crater\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunset Crater<\/a>. It erupted about 800 years ago, making it the youngest scoria cone in the San Francisco Volcanic Field. The analogous cone in Ulysses Colles (right), in contrast, is thought to be billions of years old.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A closer view shows Sunset Crater, a scoria cone on Earth, (left) and an unnamed scoria cone on Mars (right) with textured lava flows around it. A road is visible winding around Sunset Crater. The scoria cone on Mars is a few kilometers wider than the analogous cone on Earth.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=720&#038;h=480&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 720w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/sunsetcratercomp_ctx_oli_20250619.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Note that eruptions that create scoria cones are \u201cmildly explosive,\u201d usually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/articles\/000\/strombolian-eruptions.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">Strombolian events<\/a>, characterized by intermittent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discovermagazine.com\/what-are-lava-fountains-and-are-they-a-third-type-of-volcanic-eruption-47546\" rel=\"noopener\">lava fountains<\/a>, said Ian Flynn, a planetary geologist at the University of Pittsburgh. They differ from the far more violent explosive eruptions that send ash columns billowing tens of kilometers into the air, as happened at <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/hunga-tonga-hunga-haapai-erupts-149347\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha\u2019apai<\/a> in the South Pacific, he added.<\/p>\n<p>Mars also shows evidence of highly explosive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/nasa-confirms-thousands-of-massive-ancient-volcanic-eruptions-on-mars\/\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201csuper eruptions,\u201d<\/a> but that type of eruption leaves behind a different geologic signature: large depressions called <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Patera_(planetary_nomenclature)\" rel=\"noopener\">paterae<\/a> and broad, thin deposits of ash and other erodible material sculpted into landforms such as <a href=\"https:\/\/marsed.asu.edu\/mep\/wind\/yardangs\" rel=\"noopener\">yardangs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Planetary comparison is valuable for understanding the geology of distant worlds, Bro\u017e said. Without such comparisons, it becomes harder to determine how landforms on other planets or moons may have formed at all.<\/p>\n<p>But caution is essential. \u201cIn planetary science, it\u2019s often said\u2014only half-jokingly\u2014that even if something looks like a duck, behaves like a duck, and sounds like a duck, it may not actually be a duck,\u201d he added. It\u2019s easy, for instance, to confuse scoria cones with <a href=\"https:\/\/meetingorganizer.copernicus.org\/EPSC2017\/EPSC2017-107-1.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">mud volcanoes<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Researchers are highly confident that the Ulysses Colles cones formed through explosive volcanism based on the surrounding volcanic landscape, but in more ambiguous terrain it can be difficult to tell. Mars is fundamentally different from Earth, he cautioned. Bro\u017e\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-020-0577-2\" rel=\"noopener\">laboratory research<\/a> suggests, for instance, that mud flows on Mars can look much like certain types of lava flows, and that, under certain conditions, they can even <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.epsl.2020.116406\" rel=\"noopener\">boil and levitate<\/a>. \u201cWe also have to avoid being constrained by terrestrial experience,\u201d he said. \u201cIf we fail to think outside the box, we may overlook important possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><em>NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em> and <a href=\"https:\/\/viewer.mars.asu.edu\/viewer\/ctx\/F02_036454_1853_XN_05N122W#T=2&#038;%23038;P=F02_036454_1853_XN_05N122W\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/viewer.mars.asu.edu\/viewer\/ctx\/F02_036454_1853_XN_05N122W#T=2&#038;P=F02_036454_1853_XN_05N122W\" rel=\"noopener\">CTX data<\/a> from the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter<\/a>.<\/em> <em>Story by Adam Voiland. <\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 role=\"textbox\" class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1995\" height=\"1801\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=1995&#038;h=1801&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A downward-looking satellite image shows several reddish scoria cones in the San Francisco Volcanic Field in Arizona. The scoria cones look like small hills with circular vents. A darker-colored cone called SP Crater has a black lava flow extending northward from it.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=1995&#038;h=1801&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1995w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=271&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=693&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=924&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1387&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=361&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=542&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=812&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1083&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1995px) 100vw, 1995px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Earth: June 19, 2025<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (3.21 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconespandem_oli_20250619_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"3535\" height=\"3191\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=3535&#038;h=3191&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A downward-looking satellite image shows several scoria cones in the Ulysses Colles volcanic field on Mars. The cones look like small hills against a textured background of lava flows, circular impact craters, and linear features called grabens. The landscape is reddish.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=3535&#038;h=3191&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 3535w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=271&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=693&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=924&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1387&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1849&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=361&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=542&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=812&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1083&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1805&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3535px) 100vw, 3535px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Mars: May 7, 2014<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (7.74 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/scoria-cones-on-earth-and-mars\/scoriaconesmars_ctx_2014_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bro\u017e, P. <a href=\"https:\/\/planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com\/2017\/01\/30\/everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-martian-scoria-cones-but-were-afraid-to-ask\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Everything you wanted to know about Martian scoria cones, but were afraid to\u00a0ask<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Bro\u017e, P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jvolgeores.2020.107125\" rel=\"noopener\">An overview of explosive volcanism on Mars<\/a>. <em>Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research,<\/em> 409(15), 107125.<\/li>\n<li>Bro\u017e, P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2014) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.epsl.2014.09.002\" rel=\"noopener\">Shape of scoria cones on Mars: Insights from numerical modeling of ballistic pathways<\/a>. <em>Earth and Planetary Science Letters,<\/em> 401(15), 14-23.<\/li>\n<li>Bro\u017e, P. &#038; Hauber, E. (2012) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.icarus.2011.11.030\" rel=\"noopener\">A unique volcanic field in Tharsis, Mars: Pyroclastic cones as evidence for explosive eruptions<\/a>. <em>Icarus, 218(1), 88-99.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em>Eos <\/em>(2021, May 7) <a href=\"https:\/\/eos.org\/articles\/tiny-volcanoes-are-a-big-deal-on-mars\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiny Volcanos Are a Big Deal on Mars<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Gullikson, A. (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3133\/ofr20211072\" rel=\"noopener\">A Geologic Field Guide to S P Mountain and its Lava Flow, San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Mouginis-Mark, P. (2022) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.chemer.2022.125886\" rel=\"noopener\">Martian volcanism: Current state of knowledge and known unknowns<\/a>. <em>Geochemistry<\/em>, 82(4), 125886.<\/li>\n<li>NASA (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/analog-explorer\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Planetary Analog Explorer<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA Earth Observatory (2018, October 9) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/flood-basalts-on-mars-and-iceland-92858\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Flood Basalts on Earth and Mars<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center (2021, August 31) <a href=\"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/stories\/7429fafe0af644f8a5e4e88e50992072\" rel=\"noopener\">S P Mountain Field Guide<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>U.S. Geological Survey <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/volcanoes\/san-francisco-volcanic-field\" rel=\"noopener\">San Francisco Volcanic Field<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Richardson, J.A., <em>et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2020JE006620\" rel=\"noopener\">Small Volcanic Vents of the Tharsis Volcanic Province, Mars<\/a>. Accessed February 27, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Whelley, P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2021) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2021GL094109\" rel=\"noopener\">Stratigraphic Evidence for Early Martian Explosive Volcanism in Arabia Terra<\/a>. <em>Geophysical Research Letters,<\/em> 48(15), e2021GL094109.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-8e2a5786-93f5-4594-aa0d-a297d0b681e3\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/krasheninnikova-remains-restless\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/krasheninnikova-remains-restless\/krasheninnikov_oli2_20251114_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/krasheninnikova-remains-restless\/krasheninnikov_oli2_20251114_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/krasheninnikova-remains-restless\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Krasheninnikova Remains Restless<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The volcano on Russia\u2019s Kamchatka Peninsula continues to erupt after centuries of quiescence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-hot-and-fiery-decade-for-kilauea\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/a-hot-and-fiery-decade-for-k\u012blauea\/hawaiikilauea_oli2_20220210_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/a-hot-and-fiery-decade-for-k%C4%ABlauea\/hawaiikilauea_oli2_20220210_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-hot-and-fiery-decade-for-kilauea\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">A Hot and Fiery Decade for K\u012blauea<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    6 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The volcano in Hawaii is one of the most active in the world, and NASA tech makes it easier for\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/home-reef-adds-on\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/home-reef-adds-on\/homereef_oli2_20260128_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/home-reef-adds-on\/homereef_oli2_20260128_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/home-reef-adds-on\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Home Reef Adds On<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The Tongan volcano expanded its mid-Pacific real estate during its latest eruptive phase.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" data-page-number=\"1\"><br 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flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Subscribe to Earth Observatory Newsletters<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Subscribe to the Earth Observatory and get the Earth in your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"585\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=585&#038;h=425&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 585w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/about\/NASA-EO-Logo-mediumBlue2016-stacked-mark.png?w=300&#038;h=218&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, 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loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, 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class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 1024w, 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Planet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-379137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=379137"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":379231,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/379137\/revisions\/379231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=379137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=379137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=379137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}