Martian Methane May Come From Rocks

An anonymous reader writes "When methane was found in the Martian atmosphere last year, some scientists thought this was indirect evidence of methane-producing bacteria. But minerals such as olivine can create methane in a process known as serpentinization. Geologists calculated that a global, 50-centimetre-thick layer of olivine could account for the methane. One geologist said, 'I'd love to see bugs, but you can't just go on hope. You have to consider the geological options.' Other scientists are unsure whether methane on Mars even exists."

Comments

I tried...

[poopdeville]

to think of something smart to say about this, but I came up short. This story is really dry.

Obvious next step in thinking

[tod_miller]

serpentinization:

"Green Alien Snakes Found On Mars!"

Theorists (read -1 redundants/ +5 funnies on /.) have deduced that snakes exist on mars, and carved The Face on mars to taunt us.

When asked about the mice the snakes would eat, some tightened their alu-foil (tm) hats and started shouting "42! 42!" and ran and hid under the bed.