Latest news with #Hesperian
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Marsquakes' reveal clues about a hidden body of water on Mars
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scientists have found seismic clues that suggest liquid water may be hiding beneath Mars' surface. By listening to the echoes of "marsquakes" — seismic waves rippling through Mars' crust — researchers uncovered signs of water lingering at the base of the planet's upper crust, which sits between 3.4 and 5 miles (5.4 and 8 kilometers) below the surface. "Within our solar system, Mars has consistently been at the forefront of the search for extraterrestrial life," said Weijia Sun, a professor at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and one of the study's authors, to Space. "The presence of liquid water is regarded as one of the most critical factors in this endeavor." Liquid water was thought to once flow freely across Mars during the planet's Noachian and Hesperian periods — an era stretching from the planet's formation up to about 3 billion years ago. However, as Mars entered the Amazonian period, its climate dramatically shifted. Surface water disappeared, leaving behind the cold, dry landscape we see today. "While the presence of flowing water on Mars is now indisputable, the volume and mechanisms of its disappearance remain subjects of active debate," said Sun. One theory suggests Mars lost its water to space as solar wind stripped it from the atmosphere — a process supported by ratios of isotopes on the Red Planet, or distinct species of chemical elements, seen today. Another proposes that the water didn't vanish, but rather sank into the crust. This would suggest pockets of water in deep underground aquifers. While some models predict liquid water could survive in the middle crust, its extent remains uncertain due to a lack of detailed structural data from those depths. NASA and other space agencies have sent rovers and orbiters equipped with ground-penetrating radar to explore beneath Mars' surface — but these tools can only see a few miles deep. That's because electromagnetic signals quickly fade as you go deeper into the crust. But Sun and his team took a different approach. Instead of radar, they tapped into data of seismic waves generated by two massive meteorite impacts (S1000a and S1094b) and the largest recorded marsquake (S1222a). "While previous computational studies have suggested the potential presence of liquid water on Mars, these predictions lacked observational support that seismology offers," he said. By analyzing how these waves traveled through the crust, they were able to map its fine structure — and search for anomalies that might hint at liquid water. "We used a technique called 'receiver functions,' which represent the signatures of seismic waves as they reflect and reverberate between crustal layers, analogous to echoes mapping a cave," Hrvoje Tkalčić, a professor at The Australian National University and co-author of the study, told "These signatures enable the precise identification of the thicknesses of layers and the depth to the boundaries where rock properties change." "Unlike traditional receiver function techniques, we introduce the concept of true-amplitude imaging, a method adapted from the oil exploration field, which significantly improves resolution and allows the detection of much smaller structures," Sun said. "The true-amplitude receiver function acts as a magnifying glass, enhancing the clarity of subsurface features.' The team's analysis revealed an unusual zone deep underground at about 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8 kilometers) where seismic waves slowed down. Initially, this was thought to be the result of a fractured sedimentary layer of rock, where reduced stiffness and increased compliance make the rock less able to transmit a wave's energy. However, based on its position within the crust, it was unlikely this layer was made up of sediments. "In general, seismic waves propagate significantly faster through dry rock than through water-saturated rock," said Sun. Instead, the team suggests this "low velocity" layer could actually be filled with liquid water because rocks in this area, called altered basalts, have high porosity, which might allow them to hold water. "Through a comprehensive analysis, we inferred that the low-velocity layer could be attributed to the presence of liquid water, where temperatures exceed the freezing point within the specified depth range," Sun said. Based on their data, they estimated the existence of between 569 and 853 yards (520–780 meters) of Global Equivalent Layer (GEL) — a metric used to quantify the volume of water when distributed uniformly across the entire surface of a planet or moon. This number roughly coincides with the between 776 and 1,006 (710 and 920 meter) GEL, that cannot be accounted for with Mars' present-day water inventory. Related Stories: — Mars orbiter snaps 1st image of Curiosity rover driving on the Red Planet (photo) — NASA's Curiosity Mars rover discovers evidence of ripples from an ancient Red Planet lake (images) — Perseverance Mars rover finds 'one-of-a-kind treasure' on Red Planet's Silver Mountain "The presence of subsurface water on Mars holds significant implications for future human missions and the potential for extraterrestrial life," said Tkalčić. "However, drilling or extracting water from deep underground would necessitate advanced technology and substantial energy resources." While this study provides critical insights into the Martian water cycle and the evolution of its environment, the researchers emphasize that their estimate is based solely on data gathered from a local profile beneath the InSight lander, located in the Elysium Planitia region, about 4.5 degrees north of the Martian equator. This could mean the findings are specific to this particular area and may not fully represent the planet's entire surface. "This limitation can be addressed by future missions equipped with seismometers on Mars," concluded Tkalčić. The study was published on April 25 in the journal National Science Review.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Science
- Hans India
Meteorites and marsquakes hint at underground ocean of liquid water on Mars
Evidence is mounting that a secret lies beneath the dusty red plains of Mars, one that could redefine our view of the Red Planet: a vast reservoir of liquid water, locked deep in the crust. Mars is covered in traces of ancient bodies of water. But the puzzle of exactly where it all went when the planet turned cold and dry has long intrigued scientists. Our new study may offer an answer. Using seismic data from NASA's InSight mission, we uncovered evidence that the seismic waves slow down in a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres below the surface, which could be because of the presence of liquid water at these depths. Mystery of the missing water Mars wasn't always the barren desert we see today. Billions of years ago, during the Noachian and Hesperian periods (4.1 billion to 3 billion years ago), rivers carved valleys and lakes shimmered. As Mars' magnetic field faded and its atmosphere thinned, most surface water vanished. Some escaped to space, some froze in polar caps, and some was trapped in minerals, where it remains today. But evaporation, freezing and rocks can't quite account for all the water that must have covered Mars in the distant past. Calculations suggest the 'missing' water is enough to cover the planet in an ocean at least 700 metres deep, and perhaps up to 900 metres deep. One hypothesis has been that the missing water seeped into the crust. Mars was heavily bombarded by meteorites during the Noachian period, which may have formed fractures that channelled water underground. Deep beneath the surface, warmer temperatures would keep the water in a liquid state – unlike the frozen layers nearer the surface. A seismic snapshot of Mars' crust: In 2018, NASA's InSight lander touched down on Mars to listen to the planet's interior with a super-sensitive seismometer. By studying a particular kind of vibration called 'shear waves', we found a significant underground anomaly: a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres down where these vibrations move more slowly. This 'low-velocity layer' is most likely highly porous rock filled with liquid water, like a saturated sponge. Something like Earth's aquifers, where groundwater seeps into rock pores. We calculated the 'aquifer layer' on Mars could hold enough water to cover the planet in a global ocean 520–780m deep — several times as much water as is held in Antarctica's ice sheet. This volume is compatible with estimates of Mars' 'missing' water (710–920m), after accounting for losses to space, water bound in minerals, and modern ice caps. Meteorites and marsquakes We made our discovery thanks to two meteorite impacts in 2021 (named S1000a and S1094b) and a marsquake in 2022 (dubbed S1222a). These events sent seismic waves rippling through the crust, like dropping a stone into a pond and watching the waves spread. InSight's seismometer captured these vibrations. We used the high-frequency signals from the events — think of tuning into a crisp, high-definition radio station — to map the crust's hidden layers. We calculated 'receiver functions' that are signatures of the waves as they bounce and reverberate between layers in the crust, like echoes mapping a cave. These signatures let us pinpoint boundaries where rock changes, revealing the water-soaked layer 5.4 to 8 kilometres deep. Why it matters Liquid water is essential for life as we know it. On Earth, microbes thrive in deep, water-filled rock. Could similar life, perhaps relics of ancient Martian ecosystems, persist in these reservoirs? There's only one way to find out. The water may be a lifeline for more complex organisms, too – such as future human explorers. Purified, it could provide drinking water, oxygen, or fuel for rockets. Of course, drilling kilometres deep on a distant planet is a daunting challenge. However, our data, collected near Mars' equator, also hints at the possibility of other water-rich zones – such as the icy mud reservoir of Utopia Planitia. What's next for Mars exploration? Our seismic data covers only a slice of Mars. New missions with seismometers are needed to map potential water layers across the rest of the planet. Future rovers or drills may one day tap these reservoirs, analysing their chemistry for traces of life. These water zones also require protection from Earthly microbes, as they could harbour native Martian biology. For now, the water invites us to keep listening to Mars' seismic heartbeat, decoding the secrets of a world perhaps more like Earth than we thought. (Hrvoje Tkalcic is associated with Australian National University and Weijia Sun is from the Chinese Academy of Sciences)
NDTV
12-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
A Secret Ocean Could Change Everything We Know About Mars
Beijing/Canberra: Evidence is mounting that a secret lies beneath the dusty red plains of Mars, one that could redefine our view of the Red Planet: a vast reservoir of liquid water, locked deep in the crust. Mars is covered in traces of ancient bodies of water. But the puzzle of exactly where it all went when the planet turned cold and dry has long intrigued scientists. Our new study may offer an answer. Using seismic data from NASA's InSight mission, we uncovered evidence that the seismic waves slow down in a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres below the surface, which could be because of the presence of liquid water at these depths. The mystery of the missing water Mars wasn't always the barren desert we see today. Billions of years ago, during the Noachian and Hesperian periods (4.1 billion to 3 billion years ago), rivers carved valleys and lakes shimmered. As Mars' magnetic field faded and its atmosphere thinned, most surface water vanished. Some escaped to space, some froze in polar caps, and some was trapped in minerals, where it remains today. But evaporation, freezing and rocks can't quite account for all the water that must have covered Mars in the distant past. Calculations suggest the "missing" water is enough to cover the planet in an ocean at least 700 metres deep, and perhaps up to 900 metres deep. One hypothesis has been that the missing water seeped into the crust. Mars was heavily bombarded by meteorites during the Noachian period, which may have formed fractures that channelled water underground. Deep beneath the surface, warmer temperatures would keep the water in a liquid state - unlike the frozen layers nearer the surface. A seismic snapshot of Mars' crust In 2018, NASA's InSight lander touched down on Mars to listen to the planet's interior with a super-sensitive seismometer. By studying a particular kind of vibration called "shear waves", we found a significant underground anomaly: a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres down where these vibrations move more slowly. This "low-velocity layer" is most likely highly porous rock filled with liquid water, like a saturated sponge. Something like Earth's aquifers, where groundwater seeps into rock pores. We calculated the "aquifer layer" on Mars could hold enough water to cover the planet in a global ocean 520-780m deep - several times as much water as is held in Antarctica's ice sheet. This volume is compatible with estimates of Mars' "missing" water (710-920m), after accounting for losses to space, water bound in minerals, and modern ice caps. Meteorites and marsquakes We made our discovery thanks to two meteorite impacts in 2021 (named S1000a and S1094b) and a marsquake in 2022 (dubbed S1222a). These events sent seismic waves rippling through the crust, like dropping a stone into a pond and watching the waves spread. InSight's seismometer captured these vibrations. We used the high-frequency signals from the events - think of tuning into a crisp, high-definition radio station - to map the crust's hidden layers. We calculated "receiver functions," which are signatures of these waves as they bounce and reverberate between layers in the crust, like echoes mapping a cave. These signatures let us pinpoint boundaries where rock changes, revealing the water-soaked layer 5.4 to 8 kilometres deep. Why it matters Liquid water is essential for life as we know it. On Earth, microbes thrive in deep, water-filled rock. Could similar life, perhaps relics of ancient Martian ecosystems, persist in these reservoirs? There's only one way to find out. The water may be a lifeline for more complex organisms, too - such as future human explorers. Purified, it could provide drinking water, oxygen, or fuel for rockets. Of course, drilling kilometres deep on a distant planet is a daunting challenge. However, our data, collected near Mars' equator, also hints at the possibility of other water-rich zones - such as the icy mud reservoir of Utopia Planitia. What's next for Mars exploration? Our seismic data covers only a slice of Mars. New missions with seismometers are needed to map potential water layers across the rest of the planet. Future rovers or drills may one day tap these reservoirs, analysing their chemistry for traces of life. These water zones also require protection from Earthly microbes, as they could harbour native Martian biology. For now, the water invites us to keep listening to Mars' seismic heartbeat, decoding the secrets of a world perhaps more like Earth than we thought. (Disclaimer Statement: Hrvoje Tkalcic receives funding from The Australian Research Council. Weijia Sun works for Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He receives funding from National Key R&D Program of China.)
New Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Meteorites and marsquakes hint at underground ocean of liquid water on Red Planet
BEIJING/CANBERRA: Evidence is mounting that a secret lies beneath the dusty red plains of Mars, one that could redefine our view of the Red Planet: a vast reservoir of liquid water, locked deep in the crust. Mars is covered in traces of ancient bodies of water. But the puzzle of exactly where it all went when the planet turned cold and dry has long intrigued scientists. Our new study may offer an answer. Using seismic data from NASA's InSight mission, we uncovered evidence that the seismic waves slow down in a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres below the surface, which could be because of the presence of liquid water at these depths. The mystery of the missing water, Mars wasn't always the barren desert we see today. Billions of years ago, during the Noachian and Hesperian periods (4.1 billion to 3 billion years ago), rivers carved valleys and lakes shimmered. As Mars' magnetic field faded and its atmosphere thinned, most surface water vanished. Some escaped to space, some froze in polar caps, and some was trapped in minerals, where it remains today. But evaporation, freezing and rocks can't quite account for all the water that must have covered Mars in the distant past. Calculations suggest the missing water is enough to cover the planet in an ocean at least 700 metres deep, and perhaps up to 900 metres deep. One hypothesis has been that the missing water seeped into the crust. Mars was heavily bombarded by meteorites during the Noachian period, which may have formed fractures that channelled water underground. Deep beneath the surface, warmer temperatures would keep the water in a liquid state, unlike the frozen layers nearer the surface. A seismic snapshot of Mars' crust In 2018, NASA's InSight lander touched down on Mars to listen to the planet's interior with a super-sensitive seismometer. By studying a particular kind of vibration called -- shear waves, we found a significant underground anomaly: a layer between 5.4 and 8 kilometres down where these vibrations move more slowly. This low-velocity layer is most likely highly porous rock filled with liquid water, like a saturated sponge. Something like Earth's aquifers, where groundwater seeps into rock pores. We calculated the aquifer layer on Mars could hold enough water to cover the planet in a global ocean 520,780 m deep, several times as much water as is held in Antarctica's ice sheet. This volume is compatible with estimates of Mars' missing water (710- 920m), after accounting for losses to space, water bound in minerals, and modern ice caps. Meteorites and marsquakes We made our discovery thanks to two meteorite impacts in 2021 (named S1000a and S1094b) and a marsquake in 2022 (dubbed S1222a). These events sent seismic waves rippling through the crust, like dropping a stone into a pond and watching the waves spread. InSight's seismometer captured these vibrations.
