Abstract

The history of the studies of Mars shows how controversy always existed between two main parties: one in favour and one against the existence of liquid water on the surface of the planet. Such a controversy could be understood in past time when the absence of better data than today could not support one party or the other. Today, after the wealth of existing data showing how dry is the planet sounds rather incredible that such a controversy still exists. This chapter shows why existing data do not support the reasons of the pro-water party and why volcanism takes the main role in shaping the Red Planet.