Recent research has found large amounts of liquid water hidden beneath the surface of Mars. This discovery is surprising because it challenges what scientists previously thought about water on Mars. It also opens up new possibilities for understanding the planet’s geology and whether it could support life.
Overview of the Study
The study, titled “Liquid Water in the Martian Mid-Crust,” was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). A team from the University of California San Diego, led by scientists Vashan Wright, Matthias Morzfeld, and Michael Manga, conducted the research.
How the Research Was Done
Researchers used data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander, which operated from 2018 to 2022. The lander had a special tool called a seismometer that recorded vibrations or “quakes” on Mars, known as Marsquakes. The seismometer detected over 1,300 Marsquakes and impacts from things like meteorites. By studying how fast these seismic waves moved through the ground, scientists could figure out what materials the waves were passing through. They found signs of a layer of cracked volcanic rock filled with liquid water, located about 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) below the surface.
Important Discoveries
The study suggests that this liquid water might have come from rivers and lakes that existed billions of years ago on Mars. If this water is spread throughout the planet, it could be part of a large underground ocean. This finding helps us understand how water and climate on Mars have changed over time.
What This Means for Life on Mars
While this discovery doesn’t prove that life exists on Mars, it does make it more likely that the planet could support life. Water is essential for life, and underground water could help sustain simple life forms, much like life exists deep underground or at the bottom of the ocean on Earth. However, reaching this water would be extremely difficult. Drilling 10 to 20 kilometers (6 to 12 miles) into Mars’ surface would be a huge challenge, especially if humans want to live on Mars or use this water. This makes the idea of colonizing Mars or using its resources much more complicated.
Interesting Facts About Mars
- Mars is often called the Red Planet.
- Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which is about 13.6 miles high.
- A day on Mars, known as a sol, lasts about 24.3 hours.
- Mars has two small moons, Phobos and Deimos, which are likely captured asteroids.
- Water ice is found at Mars’ poles, and there’s evidence that salty water might flow during certain seasons.
- The atmosphere of Mars is 95% carbon dioxide.
- Mars has the biggest dust storms in the solar system, which can cover large areas.
