Space & Astronomy

Large reservoir of liquid water found beneath the surface of Mars

By T.K. Randall
August 14, 2024

Image Credit: NASA / JPL In the second significant discovery on Mars within the space of a month (the other being the finding of chemical reactions in a rock indicative of alien life), scientists have revealed that there is more than likely a reservoir of liquid water situated deep beneath the planet's surface.

The findings come courtesy of data collected by NASA's Insight Lander which landed on Mars in 2018.

The probe was equipped with a seismometer which recorded seismic activity over several years, helping scientists to build up a picture of what might lie deep beneath the surface.

"These are actually the same techniques we use to prospect for water on Earth, or to look for oil and gas," said Prof Michael Manga from the University of California, Berkeley.The find is particularly important because this is the first time liquid water has ever been found on Mars and its presence improves the chances that Mars could still be home to alien life.

Given that it is situated as much as 20km beneath the surface, however, actually accessing it is unlikely to be possible without some pretty sophisticated technology.

"It's sequestered 10-20km deep in the crust," said Prof Manga.

"Drilling a hole 10km deep on Mars - even for [Elon] Musk - would be difficult."

Source: BBC News

Tags: Mars