Methane on Mars
Conceptual diagram of Curiosity measuring methane on the surface of Mars.
Copyright © John P. Ortiz 2022.
This research seeks to move us towards a better of understanding of methane in Mars’ atmosphere. It applies some of my previous work in terrestrial barometric pumping to address the question of underground methane sources on Mars.
Highlighted Works
Articles
Ortiz, J. P., Rajaram, H., Stauffer, P. H., Lewis, K. W., Wiens, R. C., & Harp, D. R. (2024). Sub-diurnal methane variations on Mars driven by barometric pumping and planetary boundary layer evolution. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. 129, e2023JE008043. doi:10.1029/2023JE008043.
Ortiz, J. P., Rajaram, H., Stauffer, P. H., Harp, D. R., Wiens, R. C., & Lewis, K. W. (2022). Barometric Pumping Through Fractured Rock: A Mechanism for Venting Deep Methane to Mars’ Atmosphere. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(14), doi:10.1029/2022GL098946.
Page Article Supplemental Information
This article was also featured on the cover of this GRL issue:
News Coverage
“Mystery of Mars’ ‘Burps’ Could Aid Search for Life”. Newsweek, 25 January 2024. Article Link Post
“Study Predicts Best Times for Rover to Sample Mars Methane in Search for Life”. Johns Hopkins University Engineering News, 26 January 2024. Article Link
“Atmospheric pressure changes could be driving Mars’ elusive methane pulses”. LANL News Stories, 24 January 2024. Article Link
Talks
Ortiz, J. P. (2023). Sub-Diurnal Methane Variations on Mars Driven by Barometric Pumping and Planetary Boundary Layer Evolution. AGU Fall Meeting 2023.
Ortiz, J. P. (2023). The Mars Underground: Characterizing methane seepage on the Red Planet. LANL CSES Symposium.
Ortiz, J. P. (2023). The Mars Underground: Characterizing methane seepage on the Red Planet. Los Alamos Geological Society.
Ortiz, J. P. (2023). The Mars Underground: Characterizing methane seepage on the Red Planet. NMT EES & NMBGS Seminar Series.
Posters
Ortiz, J. P. (2023). Sub-diurnal methane variations on Mars driven by barometric pumping and planetary boundary layer evolution. LANL Student Symposium.
Ortiz, J. P. (2022). Barometric pumping through fractured rock: A mechanism for venting deep underground methane to Mars’ atmosphere. AGU Fall Meeting 2022.