what is mars' geology?

Answer 1

BTW, when we're actually studying it, the field may be called "areology", Ares being the Greek name for Mars.

Answer 2

Very similar to Earth.
No water or rain, ice or oceans of course, so erosion is strictly by wind and sand.
Though many of the features imaged recently by the Mars Orbiter appear to be dried-up lakes and rivers - with some canyons showing evidence that they were carved at some time in the past by high-speed rushing water.

Not as many high mountain ranges, but it has the largest (although dormant) volcanoes in the solar system.
It has the Valles Marinaris, which is a canyon like the Grand Canyon but would stretch from New York to Los Angeles on Earth.

Very little tectonic (volcanic) activity at the present time, since Mars' core has long since cooled. There is evidence of some earthquake activity, but they are generally considered to be shallow and the result of mass shifts in the planet instead of geothermal action.
However, there is evidence of tectonic activity in Mars' distant past.

Answer 3

For the moment, we think Mars is a geologically 'dead' planet.
Although there is (apparently) evidence of much earlier water- flows and flood plains, along with past volcanic activity, the little red planet appears to be done with its growing pains.
High altitude orbiters have been in place for some time, now, and have witnessed nothing more than really gnarly dust- storms.

Answer 4

Probably very much like the Earths. But we'll have to wait until we get there to say for certain.

Doug

Answer 5

Same as Earth