Mantle plume

A seemingly boundless and seemingly uneventful Martian plain has astounded scientists, as a recent study spearheaded by the University of Arizona uncovered a far more tumultuous geological history than initially presumed. Extensive volumes of lava, erupting from numerous fissures, have reshaped the landscape as recently as one million years ago. This volcanic activity covered an expanse nearly comparable to the size of Alaska, engaging with both surface and subsurface water. The consequential large-scale flood events left an indelible mark, carving out profound channels across the Martian terrain.