# Mars' Molten Heart is Long Gone, but Some Magma Chambers May Persist

Source: [Universe Today](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/mars-molten-heart-is-long-gone-but-some-magma-chambers-may-persist) · 2026-11-09 · Space
Page: https://themorning.science/story/mars-molten-heart-is-long-gone-but-some-magma-chambers-may-persist-c7c5f959ede72713
Kind: research · Impact: low

## In brief

- Researchers report detections of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas within about 6 miles (10 km) of one of Mars' largest volcanoes.
- The study was published Nov. 4 in Science Advances.
- The Trace Gas Orbiter detected HCl at a time of year when, according to the sources, volcanic origins are the most plausible explanation; new surface fissures were also identified.

## Why it matters

If confirmed, the HCl detections would suggest that some volcanic or magma activity may still be ongoing on Mars, which changes how scientists think about the planet's geological history and internal heat.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-04: Study reporting HCl detections near a large Martian volcano published in Science Advances

## Coverage

- [Mars' Molten Heart is Long Gone, but Some Magma Chambers May Persist](https://www.universetoday.com/articles/mars-molten-heart-is-long-gone-but-some-magma-chambers-may-persist) — Universe Today, 2026-11-09
- [Mysterious gas on Mars suggests magma below](https://www.astronomy.com/science/mysterious-gas-on-mars-suggests-magma-below/) — Astronomy Magazine, 2026-11-09
- [Noxious Smoke Hints at Active Volcanoes on Mars](https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/noxious-smoke-hints-at-active-volcanoes-on-mars/) — Astronomy News & Astronomical Events | Sky & Telescope, 2026-11-09

Tags: mars, volcanism, hydrogen chloride, trace gas orbiter, planetary science

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science