Scientists say the latest finding has raised a hope of finding life on Mars after indication of water, as liquid water reservoirs estimated to be 1-2kilometres deep ocean may be frozen up to 20kilometers below surface.
In a latest study, scientists have discovered a reservoir of liquid water on Mars. Though deep in the rocky outer crust of the planet, scientists say the water may be hidden deep beneath the surface of Mars possibly holding enough to cover the entire planet in a global ocean.
This is for the first time scientists have arrived at the conclusion of liquid water reservoirs on the Mars’ surface. Earlier, the studies have established the presence of frozen water at the planet’s poles and the evidence that water vapour existed in its atmosphere.
The findings come from a new analysis of data from Nasa’s Mars Insight Lander, which touched down on the planet back in 2018. The lander carried a seismometer, which scientists say recorded vibrations of ‘Mars quakes’ for four years. It is through this technique, NASA has been able to reveal “seismic signals” of liquid water.
The latest findings from InSight's data provide a glimpse into the possibilities for life on Mars. Although scientists say the existence of water doesn't guarantee life, however it creates environments that could potentially support microbial life.
Scientists say more than 3billion years ago, Mars not only had lakes and rivers but also oceans on its surface. However, they say as the ‘Red Planet’ lost its atmosphere these bodies disappeared. There are now remnants of all that now in the form of “permafrost ice” at the planet’s poles, they say.
Scientists now say their calculations suggest vast quantities of liquid water is found trapped within rocks about 11.5-20kilometers below the Mars’ upper surface. They say that the liquid water estimate is more than the water volumes proposed to have filled possible ancient Mars’ oceans.
The data for Mars and measurements recorded by Nasa’s InSight lander have also given scientists a hope about life on Mars. As per scientists if liquid water aquifers are present on Mars now, they believe they are a prime target in the search for life.
The scientists say the discovery of such a vast underground water reservoirs has significant implications for our understanding of Mars' history and its potential to support life. More than 3 billion years ago, Mars was a warm and wet planet with rivers, lakes, and possibly oceans.
The findings from NASA’s Insight lander’s data were recorded directly from Mars’crust beneath, however the scientists believe that there will be similar reservoirs across the planet. In this scenario, scientists estimate that there is enough liquid water on Mars.
