A rare active volcano on Mars may be causing the whole planet to spin faster

Mars has been spinning slightly faster each year, with days shrinking by 70 microseconds annually, puzzling scientists about the cause. New research suggests a massive plume of lighter-than-normal rock beneath the Tharsis volcanic region may be responsible, as this buoyant material rises and shifts mass distribution inside Mars. This underground activity could explain both the accelerating spin and how Mars maintains geological heat much longer than expected, forcing scientists to reconsider how rocky worlds cool over time.