Recent findings reveal a vast concealed ocean beneath Mars’s surface that might support life. Utilizing seismic data from NASA’s InSight lander, researchers identified this underground reservoir, which holds enough liquid to envelop the entire Martian surface to a depth of approximately one mile.
Over three billion years ago, Mars lost its oceans, making the recent discovery of an ancient reservoir particularly thrilling. However, this reservoir is located at a depth of seven to thirteen miles beneath the Martian surface, making it inaccessible for direct research. For context, drilling a hole one mile deep on Earth presents significant challenges.
Should humans eventually access the subterranean reservoir, they could potentially discover life forms residing there. Investigating this reservoir could provide scientists with valuable insights into the geological history of Mars.
Michael Manga, a professor of Earth and Planetary Science at UC Berkeley and co-author of the study, stated, “Water is essential for sustaining life as we understand it.”
“It’s hard to understand why the underground reservoir couldn’t support life. On Earth, deep mines and the ocean’s depths are known to host living organisms.”
While no signs of life on Mars have been found to date, the planet’s vast concealed ocean offers significant potential for future discoveries.
Millions of years ago, Earth’s surface was shaped by various water bodies. On Mars, evidence of ancient water flow can still be seen in the form of dried riverbeds, lake remnants, and delta formations.
Around 3.5 million years ago, a sudden event led to the complete disappearance of all surface water on Earth.
While the exact cause of the sudden change remains uncertain, scientists have proposed several potential factors. These include an asteroid impact, the loss of the planet’s magnetic field, or ancient microbial life influencing climate change.
To determine the fate of the water, researchers utilized seismic data from NASA’s InSight lander and input it into a mathematical model.
From 2018 to 2022, the lander investigated Mars’ internal activity, utilizing its sensors to detect quakes up to magnitude five caused by meteor impacts or volcanic events. The technology employed was akin to Earth-based models used for mapping underground aquifers and oil reserves.
Manga expressed that the mission “far surpassed my expectations.” He added, “By analyzing the seismic data gathered by Insight, we’ve been able to determine the crust’s thickness, the core’s depth and composition, and even gain insights into the mantle’s temperature.”
Their research into the deeper crust uncovered that it consists of shattered igneous rock, which holds sufficient liquid water to potentially fill Martian oceans.
This indicates that Martian water did not escape into space but instead seeped into the planet’s crust, forming a concealed ocean.