Gigantic hidden ocean discovered under Mars could harbor life

 

Mars’ underground ocean contains enough water to submerge the entire planet under a mile-deep layer.

Key Takeaways

1. Scientists have uncovered a massive underground ocean on Mars that may harbor life.
2. The reservoir, buried 7-13 miles beneath the surface, could cover Mars in a mile of water.
3. Detected using seismic data from NASA’s InSight Lander, the water lies in fractured rock.
4. The discovery suggests Mars’ ancient water didn’t escape into space but migrated underground.
5. Although unreachable with current technology, the reservoir is a promising target for future exploration.

Mars’ surface, scarred by ancient riverbeds and lake remnants, hints at a watery past. Now, seismic data from NASA’s InSight Lander has unveiled a massive underground ocean buried 7 to 13 miles beneath the planet’s crust. Researchers, using data collected from 2018 to 2022, discovered the reservoir hidden within fractured igneous rock. This underground body of water contains enough liquid to blanket Mars in a mile-deep ocean. The findings, published on August 12 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggest Mars’ water didn’t escape into space as previously thought but seeped underground.

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The InSight mission utilized advanced seismic sensors to record Marsquakes caused by meteor impacts and volcanic activity. By analyzing the seismic reverberations, scientists mapped the Martian interior, revealing its crust, mantle, and core structure. This groundbreaking technique, similar to those used on Earth for locating aquifers, confirmed the presence of liquid water far beneath the Martian surface.

Could Life Exist in Mars’ Subterranean Ocean?

The discovery raises tantalizing possibilities for life on the Red Planet. According to Michael Manga, a professor of earth and planetary science at UC Berkeley and co-author of the study, deep subterranean environments on Earth, such as mines and ocean floors, host life despite extreme conditions. This hints that Mars’ underground ocean could be a similarly habitable environment.

However, accessing this hidden reservoir remains beyond human reach. The Kola Superdeep Borehole, Earth’s deepest excavation, only extends 7.6 miles into the crust. Drilling through the Martian crust’s 7-13 miles to reach this reservoir would require unprecedented advancements in technology.

Tracing Mars’ Watery History and Ongoing Exploration

Mars’ climate shifted dramatically around 3.5 billion years ago, transforming the planet from a water-rich environment to the arid landscape observed today. The cause of this change remains uncertain, with theories ranging from the loss of its magnetic field to asteroid impacts or even ancient microbial activity.

NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently exploring the Jezero crater, collecting samples of Martian soil and rock that could contain evidence of ancient life. While the agency initially planned a sample retrieval mission for 2026, delays have pushed the timeline to 2040. NASA is now inviting private companies to accelerate this process.

The hidden ocean, while inaccessible for now, offers a promising site for future exploration. Its discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Mars’ watery past but also adds a new dimension to the search for extraterrestrial life.