Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, have made a significant discovery using data from NASA’s InSight research device. They found a massive reservoir of liquid water deep beneath the surface of Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun. This water is located between 11.5 and 20 kilometers below the planet’s surface, within small cracks and pores inside the rocks of Mars’ crust. The amount of water is so large that it could cover the entire surface of Mars with a layer of water between one and two kilometers thick.
More than three billion years ago, Mars had oceans on its surface. However, after the planet lost its atmosphere, these oceans disappeared. The new discovery suggests that a large portion of that water didn’t vanish but rather seeped deep into Mars’ interior, into the deep layers of the crust.
The reservoir is currently inaccessible with existing technology due to its depth. However, this discovery could open up the possibility that Mars might have conditions that could potentially support life, considering that life on Earth can survive in extreme conditions such as the deepest parts of the oceans.
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Scientists used seismic waves caused by marsquakes to study the interior of the planet, and through this method, they were able to identify the presence of water-saturated rock layers. This method is similar to the one used on Earth to find water and oil, as explained in the study.
This discovery not only sheds light on the planet’s past but could also play a significant role in future Mars explorations and missions. Additionally, this research could benefit Earth by helping us understand planetary and geological processes, which may contribute to a better understanding of climate change and advancements in underground resource exploration technologies.
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