Mars has always fascinated scientists and space enthusiasts alike, but sometimes, the Red Planet surprises us with formations that look almost too strange to be natural. From pyramid-like hills to what looks like a giant face staring into space, these mysterious structures on Mars have sparked debate and intrigue for decades.
Are they the result of natural geological processes, or is there something more going on? Let’s explore six of the most bizarre Martian landforms and how they were discovered!
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Are they natural formations, ancient alien artifacts, or something NASA hasn’t told us yet? We explore the latest images, theories, and science behind the Red Planet’s strangest features. Tap play and take a trip to Mars!
1. The Face on Mars
📍 Location: Cydonia Region
🛰 Discovered by: Viking 1 Orbiter, 1976
One of the most famous mysterious structures on Mars is the so-called “Face on Mars.” When NASA’s Viking 1 Orbiter snapped a photo of the Cydonia region in 1976, it captured what looked like a massive face staring back at Earth. Conspiracy theories exploded, with some believing it was an ancient monument left by extraterrestrials.
However, later high-resolution images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed that the “face” was just an optical illusion caused by shadows and natural erosion. Still, it’s a fantastic example of how our brains love to find patterns—even on alien worlds!
2. The Mars Monolith
📍 Location: Phobos (Mars’ Moon)
🛰 Discovered by: Mars Global Surveyor, 1998
Floating near Mars on its moon Phobos is a tall, rectangular structure that looks eerily similar to the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. This 85-meter-tall object has puzzled scientists since it was first spotted in 1998. While some believe it could be an alien artifact, planetary geologists suggest it is likely a large boulder left standing after an impact.
Even NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin once mentioned it in an interview, fueling more curiosity. Is it just a rock, or could it be something more? You decide!
3. The Mars ‘Pyramids’
📍 Location: Cydonia Region
🛰 Discovered by: Viking 1 Orbiter, 1976
Not far from the “Face on Mars” lies a cluster of pyramid-shaped hills, leading some to believe that ancient civilizations once thrived on the Red Planet. The mysterious structures on Mars in this area appear to have symmetrical sides, making them look strikingly similar to pyramids found on Earth.
Scientists, however, argue that these formations are simply the result of wind erosion and natural geological activity. But hey, they sure do look cool! And wouldn’t it be super fascinating if these were indeed real pyramids? They could even have hidden underground cities like the Egyptian pyramids!
4. The Spiders of Mars
📍 Location: South Pole of Mars
🛰 Discovered by: Mars Orbiter Camera, early 2000s
Mars has some of the weirdest landscape features, and the so-called “spiders” are no exception. These strange, dark branching formations appear every spring at the planet’s South Pole. Before you freak out—no, they’re not actual spiders.
These formations are created when frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice) beneath the surface warms up, creating pressure that forces gases to burst through, carving out strange, spidery patterns. Even though we know how these spider structures form, they still look like something out of an alien horror movie!
5. The Martian ‘Blueberries’
📍 Location: Meridiani Planum
🛰 Discovered by: Opportunity Rover, 2004
When NASA’s Opportunity Rover landed in 2004, it found tiny, round, blueberry-like spheres scattered all over the Martian surface. At first, no one knew what they were. Could they be evidence of past life? Turns out, these little balls are made of hematite, an iron-rich mineral that forms in water.
This was one of the first major pieces of evidence that Mars once had liquid water—a key ingredient for life! So while they’re not actual blueberries, they’re definitely a delicious find for scientists.
6. The Mysterious Square on Mars
📍 Location: Noctis Labyrinthus Region
🛰 Discovered by: European Space Agency’s Mars Express, 2024
Recently, the European Space Agency’s Mars Express captured images of a nearly perfect square formation on the Martian surface. Measuring approximately 2 km across, this geometric structure has baffled scientists and fueled speculation about its origins.
While some believe it to be a result of fracturing and erosion, others argue that the square’s sharp angles are unusual for natural formations. More research is needed to determine whether this is just another trick of light and shadow or a truly unique feature of Mars.
What Do Experts Say About the Mysterious Structures on Mars?
Scientists have weighed in on these mysterious structures on Mars, and opinions are divided. Dr. Jim Bell, a planetary scientist at Arizona State University, explains that “Mars has a fascinating geological history, maybe even a supervolcano like Yellowstone, and many of these structures can be explained by natural processes like erosion, wind patterns, and past water activity.”
On the other hand, Dr. John Brandenburg, a plasma physicist, has controversially suggested that some of Mars’ formations may be remnants of an ancient civilization, citing unusual isotopic patterns in the planet’s atmosphere.
Meanwhile, NASA geologist Dr. Abigail Fraeman emphasizes that “while these structures are visually striking, we need more data to determine their true nature.”
As Mars missions continue, and we are also getting very close to sending humans to Mars, perhaps we’ll finally get some answers!
What Do You Think?
The Red Planet is full of surprises, and these mysterious structures on Mars prove that space exploration is anything but boring. Whether it’s giant “faces,” strange spider-like formations, or pyramid-shaped hills, Mars continues to challenge our understanding of planetary geology. Now it’s your turn—what do you think about these formations? Are they purely natural, or is there more to the story? Let us know in the comments!
With future Mars missions planned, who knows what other strange and exciting discoveries await us? One thing’s for sure—Mars will never stop fueling our imagination!
Συχνές Ερωτήσεις (FAQs)
What are the mysterious structures detected beneath Mars’ surface?
Scientists have identified large, dense structures hidden beneath ancient ocean basins using gravity mapping. These anomalies may be volcanic roots, mantle plumes, or the remnants of massive impacts—structures invisible from the surface but detectable through subtle changes in Mars’ gravity.
Could these hidden structures indicate ongoing geological activity?
Possibly. Many of the dense formations are located beneath volcanic regions like Olympus Mons and the Tharsis plateau. Their composition and location suggest they might still be influencing Mars’ interior, hinting that the planet could be more geologically active than once believed.
Are these formations evidence of ancient water environments or life?
While not direct evidence of life, their presence beneath areas once thought to host oceans supports the idea that Mars had a more dynamic, water-rich past. Combined with signs of ancient shorelines and mineral deposits, these findings add weight to the theory that Mars may have once been habitable.
What tools revealed these deep Martian mysteries?
Scientists used advanced gravity mapping techniques, combining satellite observations with data from surface missions. By measuring variations in gravitational pull across the planet, they were able to create detailed models of what lies beneath the crust—revealing structures never before seen.
Why is it Mars rovers have never sent images of the Cydonia region?
Hi Jim,
Mars rovers have taken photos of the Cydonia region, but they have not visited it yet. Cydonia, while interesting for the “Face on Mars,” doesn’t offer the best geology for studying Mars’s history or habitability. compared to places
why have people never lived on mars if so, how long
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for your question. People have never lived on Mars because it’s incredibly far (6–9 months travel), costly, and dangerous, with a thin CO₂ atmosphere, extreme cold, high radiation, low gravity, and dust storms that make survival difficult. Technology to land large habitats, grow food, and sustain life without constant resupply isn’t ready, and long missions pose serious medical, psychological, and communication challenges. While robots have explored Mars, sending humans for long-term living will require major breakthroughs, which agencies like NASA and SpaceX aim to achieve in the coming decades.
why is someone sending seeds to the moon
Hi Melissa,
What an interesting question! Lunaria One, in collaboration with the Australian National University, is preparing to send seeds to land on the Moon, with the goal of testing whether plants can survive the extreme lunar environment (i.e., vacuum, radiation, huge temperature swings). However, they’ll be contained within a specialized protective chamber—not planted directly on the lunar soil.