(ANSA) - Geysers and sulphur springs on Mt Vesuvius could shed light on the environment on Mars, experts here say.
The Pescara-based International Research School of Planetary Science (IRSPS) has taken 25 of the world's top planetologists around the famed Naples volcano and the hot springs that are dotted in its lee.
As well as touring Vesuvius's craters, IRSPS led the world experts around the hot springs and geysers in the Campi Flegrei, known since ancient times for its seismic activity.
The area was once believed to be a 'hellmouth' or entrance to the underworld. According to the most recent data, sulphur springs were active on Mars until a fairly recent geological date, about a million years ago.
Some could still show signs of past life, Mars scientists hope. Experts believe there may also be traces of hot-water geysers similar to those found in countries such as Iceland, New Zealand and the United States.
The Earth's sulphur springs can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees centigrade and are the last phase in the life of a volcano. Since they can host colonies of bacteria, scientists are fascinated by the possibility of these life forms being found in similar areas of the Red Planet.
IRSPS director Gian Gabriele Ori said: "We don't yet know whether there are still sulphur springs on Mars. Since the craters would have a diameter of a few hundred meters they would be too small to be detected in photos."
"But the presence of hot fluids similar to the late stages of volcanic activity could lead one to suspect some life forms (existed)."
Among the luminaries who took part in the 'Excursions to Martian Analogies' tour is Ken Tanaka, one of the founders of planetary geology and a student of Mars since the pioneering voyages of US probe Viking.
Two other top names were Jim Dhom of Arizona University and Jean-Pierre Blamont of the French Space Research Centre.
