Hidden Ocean Discovered Beneath Mars Could Hold Clues to Extraterrestrial Life

A Mars-Like DesertPhoto byDaniele ColuccionUnsplash

Geophysicists have unveiled a discovery of monumental proportions beneath the surface of Mars: a colossal hidden ocean capable of sustaining life. This subterranean reservoir, unearthed through seismic data collected by NASA's InSight Lander, is of such staggering scale that it could engulf the entire planet under a mile of water.

The water is beneath a layer of fractured rock located between 7 to 13 miles (11.5 to 20 kilometers) beneath Mars' outer crust. Despite its immense size, reaching this water presents an enormous challenge, as current technology cannot access such depths on Earth, let alone on Mars. Michael Manga, a professor of Earth and planetary science at UC Berkeley and co-author of the study stated:

If humans could one day tap into this reservoir, it might be a promising place to search for life. Water is necessary for life as we know it, and there's no reason this underground environment couldn't be habitable.

The study, published on August 12 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), marks a significant step forward in understanding Mars' ancient water systems. For decades, scientists have studied the planet's dried-up river channels, deltas, and lake beds, which suggest that Mars once had abundant surface water. However, about 3.5 billion years ago, a dramatic shift in Mars' climate stripped the planet of its water, leaving its surface barren.

The exact cause of this rapid desiccation remains a mystery. Theories range from a sudden loss of Mars' magnetic field to catastrophic asteroid impacts or climate-altering microbial life. The location and fate of the water have been pressing questions in planetary science.

Researchers could map the planet's interior using seismic data from the InSight Lander, which operated on Mars from 2018 to 2022. The lander's sensors recorded magnitude-five quakes caused by meteor impacts and volcanic activity. This data allowed scientists to model Mars' internal structure, revealing details about its crust's thickness, its core composition, and, crucially, the presence of water deep underground.

While the depth of the water makes it unlikely to be a resource for future human colonists, the discovery offers crucial insights into Mars' ancient climate and its potential to harbor life. Vashan Wright, assistant professor at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, underscored the importance of this discovery:

Understanding the Martian water cycle is pivotal for deciphering the evolution of the climate, surface, and interior.

The possibility of life within this hidden ocean remains speculative, but the discovery opens a new chapter in the quest to find extraterrestrial life. Manga added:

Establishing that there is a big reservoir of liquid water provides some window into what the climate was or could be like. And water is necessary for life as we know it.