'Marsquakes' provide insights into a concealed body of water on Mars

Seismic data from 'marsquakes' on Mars suggests the presence of a concealed body of liquid water beneath its surface.

: Seismic waves from 'marsquakes' have allowed scientists to detect possible liquid water deep below Mars' surface, 3.4 to 5 miles down. This potential discovery is significant in the search for extraterrestrial life, as liquid water is a key element for biological processes. Current theories about Mars' water propose its loss to space or its migration underground, with the latter supported by this study. This finding was achieved through true-amplitude receiver function imaging, a method adapted from the oil exploration sector, providing greater resolution of subsurface features.

Recent seismic studies on Mars have revealed potential evidence of a hidden body of liquid water beneath its surface. Researchers utilized seismic data from marsquakes, rippling through the crust, to detect anomalies in seismic wave patterns, suggestive of water at the planet's upper crust. This region is estimated to be between 3.4 and 5 miles deep, aligning with areas where liquid water might persist under Martian temperature conditions. Weijia Sun from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences noted, "The presence of liquid water is regarded as one of the most critical factors in the search for extraterrestrial life."

Liquid water is theorized to have flowed across Mars during its Noachian and Hesperian periods, influencing the planet's evolution. The sudden climatic changes during the Amazonian period led to its disappearance from the surface, yet the debate about its fate continues. Two primary theories dominate: solar winds stripped it into space, or it seeped into the crust, forming deep aquifers. Seismic data supports the latter, suggesting potential underwater reservoirs fueled by heat and thermal properties of Mars’ interiors.

Typical radar methods used by rovers and orbiters to probe beneath Mars have limited depth penetration due to signal decay. Sun's team circumvented this by examining large meteorite impacts and significant marsquake events, tapping into the receiver functions of seismic waves. This method uncovered hidden structures and suggested the existence of a layer marked by decreased wave speed, possibly indicating water-saturated rock called altered basalts, exhibited by their porosity and characteristic low-velocity nature.

The study utilized advanced oil exploration techniques, such as true-amplitude receiver functions, to magnify and map Mars' crustal features with unprecedented clarity. Traditional receiver function techniques were expanded, amplifying details of subsurface features like the suspected water-bearing layers. "These signatures enable the precise identification of the thicknesses of layers and the depth to the boundaries where rock properties change," explained Hrvoje Tkalčić of The Australian National University, a co-author of the research.

Based on their findings, the team estimates a possible volume of 520–780 meters of Global Equivalent Layer (GEL) of water, matching discrepancies in current models of Mars' water inventory. This study, focused on insights from data around the Elysium Planitia region, emphasizes the need for more seismic investigations planet-wide. Future missions equipped with advanced seismic technology could verify and expand upon these findings, potentially transforming our understanding of Mars' geological history and habitability.

Sources: NASA, Space.com, National Science Review

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