Not all of the water on Mars escaped into space billions of years ago as previously thought, but instead substantial amounts may still exist deep within the planet’s mid-crust.
This water is believed to be trapped within tiny cracks and pores in rocks 11.5km to 20km below the Martian surface, a study has revealed.
While the depth of this reservoir makes it difficult for future human colonies to access, the discovery offers significant clues about whether Mars once hosted life or if it still might today.
The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal on Monday, are based on seismic data from Nasa's Insight lander, which allowed researchers to estimate this groundwater could potentially cover the entire planet if spread out across its surface.
Historically, research has shown that water once flowed on Mars in the form of rivers billions of years ago but much of it was thought to have either escaped into space when the planet lost its atmosphere, or became trapped as ice beneath the surface, particularly in the polar regions.
Dr Gordon Osinski, a planetary geologist and professor at Western University in Ontario, Canada, who was not involved in the study, said the research was important in advancing our understanding of the geology of Mars.
“While many planetary scientists have suspected that the subsurface of Mars – just like Earth – would contain lots of groundwater, this is one of the best studies so far to support this idea,” he said.
"Some of Mars’ water still undoubtedly escaped into space but between the evidence for water ice in the polar caps and ground ice in the middle latitudes of Mars, this evidence for water at depth in the crust does suggest less water escaped."
Although this underground reservoir may not be immediately useful for future colonists due to its extreme depth, the study still provides valuable insights into Mars' geological history and the potential for life on the planet.
“The reservoir won’t be of much use to anyone trying to tap into it to supply a future Mars colony,” said UC Berkley in California, whose academics led the research.
"Even on Earth, drilling that deep would be a challenge."
Dr Dimitra Atri, a planetary scientist at New York University Abu Dhabi, expressed optimism over the implications of the study, suggesting that life on Mars could be a reality.
“I believe that not only did life exist in subsurface Mars a few billion years ago, there is a possibility that it still exists today in some form," he said.
"We need to send missions to these regions to look for subsurface samples. ESA’s [European Space Agency] ExoMars mission is such an effort, which is scheduled to launch in 2028."
The European project will aim to search for signs of past or present life on Mars by drilling beneath the planet's surface to collect and analyse soil samples.
It will focus on regions where liquid water might have been or is still present, offering the best chances of finding evidence of life.
It was delayed from its original launch date of 2020 due to Covid-19 and was pushed back again because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine – Russia had been the main partner in the mission.
After the ESA's fallout with Russia, it managed to save the mission through an agreement with Nasa, which states the agency will help find a launch vehicle for the rover for lift-off in 2028.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
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Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
