Madagasgar and its Islands

Madagasgar and its Islands
October 26 – November 6, 2024
Speaker: Dr. Janice Bishop

Topics:

• Phyllosilicates on Mars and What They Tell Us About Water and Habitability: Mars is currently a cold desert, but clay minerals have shown that 3-4 billion years ago, the planet was home to a warmer climate - and probably even rain. This gives us valuable insights into how life might have evolved, both on Mars and here on Earth.
• Exploring Volcanic Islands as Analogs for Mars (e.g., Iceland, Santorini, Hawaiian Islands, and Canary Islands): Although Mars is a cold and desolate place today, much of the surface is volcanic and early Mars may have resembled volcanic environments on Earth today. Through studying these locations, we are able to retrace the geologic history of Mars.

Set sail from Kenyan capital Mombasa, and journey along the Western Madagascar and Mozambique coasts. Visit Aldabra, home to over 100,000 giant tortoises. Head to Nosy Be, with its fascinating French colonial buildings and nature reserve. Discover Toliara’s mangroves, coral reefs, and Arboretum d’Antsokay, which has over 900 plant species. Your journey ends in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, known for its historic district and vibrant street scene.

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