US scientists discover reservoir of liquid water deep beneath Mars' surface

New Delhi: A groundbreaking discovery suggests that a vast reservoir of liquid water may exist deep beneath the surface of Mars, potentially containing enough water to cover the entire planet. This finding, based on seismic data collected by NASA's InSight lander, offers new insights into the possibility of life on the Red Planet. This discovery, made using seismic data from NASA's InSight lander, suggests that the water could potentially cover the entire Martian surface if it were brought to the top. 

The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicate that this reservoir is located approximately 7.2 to 12.4 miles (11.5 to 20 km) below the planet's surface, within fractured igneous rocks.

Potential for life on Mars

The discovery of this underground water reservoir is particularly exciting as it raises the possibility that Mars may have once harbored life—or might still. According to planetary scientist Vashan Wright of the University of California, San Diego, who led the study, "At these depths, the crust is warm enough for water to exist as a liquid. At more shallow depths, the water would be frozen as ice." Wright's colleague, planetary scientist Michael Manga of the University of California, Berkeley, added, "On Earth, we find microbial life deep underground where rocks are saturated with water and there is an energy source."

Insight from InSight

NASA's InSight lander, which arrived on Mars in 2018, was designed to explore the planet's deep interior. During its mission, which concluded in 2022, InSight gathered vital data on Mars' crust, mantle, and core. "InSight was able to measure the speed of seismic waves and how they change with depth," Wright explained. "We combined the measured seismic wave speed, gravity measurements, and rock physics models to identify the presence of this liquid water within fractured igneous rocks in the Martian crust."

The study revealed that the Martian mid-crust is cracked and filled with liquid water, which could potentially fill an ocean 0.6 to 1.2 miles deep across the planet. This finding challenges previous beliefs that Mars' surface water evaporated into space over three billion years ago, suggesting instead that much of it seeped into the crust.

Implications for future Mars missions

While Mars is currently a cold and barren landscape, this discovery could have significant implications for future human exploration. Water is a crucial resource for any potential manned missions or long-term settlements on the Red Planet. However, accessing this deep-seated water would be a formidable challenge. "Drilling to these depths is very challenging," Manga noted. He suggested that exploring regions with geological activity, such as the Cerberus Fossae, might offer a more accessible alternative.