Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests there may be vast amounts of water trapped deep within the crust of Mars, providing new hope for the possibility of life on the red planet. While it is known that Mars once had lakes, rivers, and even oceans on its surface over 3 billion years ago, the disappearance of these bodies of water as the planet lost its atmosphere has left only permafrost ice at the poles visible today.
Recent research indicates that some of the water may not have been lost to space entirely, but rather could have been incorporated into minerals, buried as ice, or exist in liquid form deep within Mars’ crust. Scientists have calculated that significant quantities of liquid water could be trapped within rocks approximately 11.5-20km below the Martian surface, surpassing the volumes of water that may have filled ancient Martian oceans.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was based on gravity data for Mars and measurements recorded by Nasa’s InSight lander. These measurements show how the speed of seismic waves changes with depth inside the crust of Mars, indicating the presence of cracked rocks filled with liquid water in the mid-crust.
While the presence of water on Mars does not guarantee the existence of life, it is considered a crucial ingredient for habitability. Bethany Ehlmann, a professor of planetary science, emphasized the importance of making definitive measurements to determine the presence of deep liquid water on Mars and its potential implications for the search for life.
Dr. Jon Wade of the University of Oxford expressed optimism about the possibility of life on Mars, suggesting that early in its history, Mars could have been as conducive to simple life as Earth, if not more so. Additionally, Dr. Steven Banham of Imperial College London highlighted the significance of identifying liquid water in the mid-crust for understanding Mars’ internal structure and behavior.
However, while the discovery of deep water on Mars is promising, Dr. Banham raised concerns about the practicality of accessing or utilizing this vast water resource for crewed missions to Mars. Despite its potential challenges, the presence of liquid water in the mid-crust of Mars opens up new avenues for scientific exploration and understanding of the red planet’s geological history.
In conclusion, the latest findings offer a glimmer of hope for the possibility of life on Mars and underscore the importance of further research to unlock the mysteries of the red planet. The search for deep liquid water on Mars continues to captivate scientists and space enthusiasts alike, paving the way for future discoveries that may reshape our understanding of the universe.
