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Livescience
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Image Credit: Livescience
Scientists find hint of hidden liquid water ocean deep below Mars' surface
- A layer of liquid water may be present in Martian rocks between 3.4 and 5 miles below the surface, according to seismic evidence.
- This hidden water volume on Mars could potentially create an ocean 1,700 to 2,560 feet deep, similar to Antarctica's ice sheet.
- Mars was once rich in water but transitioned to a cold, dry environment over time, losing its magnetic field and atmosphere.
- Previous water loss methods do not fully explain Mars' past water flow, leading to the hypothesis of hidden liquid water.
- Seismic data from NASA's InSight lander suggests a 'low-velocity layer' deep within Mars may be porous rock filled with liquid water.
- This discovery implies that significant amounts of ancient water on Mars might have percolated through underground rocks, matching 'missing water' estimates.
- Other studies have suggested large water volumes stored in ice beneath Mars' surface, with potential liquid water trapped within rocks deeper underground.
- Confirming the presence of liquid water on Mars requires future missions with seismometers and drills to explore these deep regions.
- The potential existence of liquid water on Mars raises excitement among scientists due to its essential role in life, sparking interest in further exploration.
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