Scientists find liquid water in the depths of Mars, a key discovery.

A group of scientists has made a revolutionary discovery in the exploration of the Red Planet: for the first time, evidence of liquid water has been found in the depths of the Martian crust. This finding comes from a thorough analysis of data collected by NASA's Mars Insight Lander, which has been operating on Mars since its landing in 2018. The results were recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and have sparked great interest in the scientific community and beyond. The mission of Insight focused on studying the "pulse of Mars," recording seismic vibrations on the planet. Over four years, the rover's seismometer recorded a total of 1,319 tremors, which have become key to discovering the existence of liquid water. By analyzing how seismic waves move through the Martian crust, researchers were able to identify "seismic signals" suggesting the presence of water deposits at depths of between 10 and 20 kilometers. “These are techniques we use here on Earth to search for water, as well as to explore for oil and gas,” commented Professor Michael Manga from the University of California, Berkeley, one of the participants in the research. His explanation reveals the application of geophysical methods that have been refined over time and are now yielding results in an environment beyond our planet. The discovery of liquid water on Mars is a significant milestone not only because it is the first time water in this state has been found on the planet, but also because it raises important questions about the history of water on Mars. For a long time, studies of the Martian surface have shown that, in the past, the planet hosted rivers and lakes, suggesting it once had a milder and wetter climate. However, this situation has dramatically changed over the past 3 billion years, when Mars transformed into an arid desert. According to Dr. Vashan Wright, the principal investigator of the study at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, “understanding the water cycle on Mars is crucial for understanding the evolution of the climate, surface, and interior” of the planet. The existence of liquid water could rewrite the narrative about Mars' habitability and its potential to support life. “Without liquid water, there is no life,” emphasized Professor Manga, suggesting that habitable environments could be found in the depths of the subsurface. However, the finding also presents a challenge for those dreaming of colonizing Mars. Although it is estimated that there could be enough liquid water to form a layer over 800 meters deep on the surface of Mars, this water is trapped at significant depths. “Drilling a hole 10 kilometers deep on Mars, even for someone like Elon Musk, would be complicated,” joked Professor Manga. This implies that exploiting these water resources could be a distant and complex goal. The Insight mission concluded in December 2022, but the data it has provided continues to generate new insights about Mars. Researchers are optimistic and believe that there could be similar water deposits in other parts of the planet, suggesting a network of underground resources that could be crucial for future exploratory missions and for understanding Martian geology. This finding, therefore, not only has implications for the study of water and life on Mars but also opens a window into understanding the evolution of the planet's climate and its geological history. As NASA and other agencies continue their efforts to explore Mars, the recent evidence of liquid water in the subsurface could be a step toward a new era of discoveries about our planetary neighbor. As the scientific community embarks on this new chapter of Martian exploration, the question of the existence of life on Mars takes on a new dimension. If liquid water is found in the depths of the crust, it could offer a refuge for microorganisms or forms of life that have managed to withstand the harsh conditions on the surface. The search for answers continues, and Mars remains a fascinating enigma that invites exploration and discovery.