By Dr R B Chaudhary

(Author is Senior Journalist associated with the Hindusthan Samachar as Tamilnadu State Representative)

Recent findings from a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences have revealed compelling evidence of a vast reservoir of liquid water deep beneath the surface of Mars. This discovery, based on seismic data collected by NASA’s InSight lander, suggests the presence of a subterranean ocean that could hold enough water to cover the planet’s surface to a depth of about one mile. The revelation bolsters the tantalizing possibility that Mars, often considered a dry and barren world, may harbor conditions suitable for life.

The InSight mission, which operated on Mars from 2018 to 2022, was equipped with a seismometer to detect and analyze marsquakes—the Martian equivalent of earthquakes. By studying the speed and behavior of seismic waves as they traveled through the planet’s interior, scientists were able to infer details about Mars’ subsurface composition. The research team, led by Vashan Wright from the University of California, San Diego, focused on data from over 1,300 marsquakes. Their analysis indicated that seismic waves slowed significantly in certain mid-crustal regions, approximately 11.5 to 20 kilometers (7 to 12 miles) below the surface.

This slowdown is a key indicator of liquid water, as seismic waves travel more slowly through water-saturated rock than through dry or frozen material. The team’s models suggest that the water exists within fractured igneous rock, similar to deep aquifers found on Earth. According to Wright, the volume of water in this reservoir could be substantial, potentially exceeding the amount hypothesized for Mars’ ancient surface oceans billions of years ago.

The discovery of liquid water is a game-changer for understanding Mars’ potential to support life. Water is a critical ingredient for life as we know it, and its presence in liquid form beneath the surface could provide a stable environment for microbial organisms. Unlike surface water, which is either frozen in polar ice caps or lost to the thin Martian atmosphere, this underground reservoir is shielded from harsh radiation and extreme temperature swings. Michael Manga, a co-author from the University of California, Berkeley, noted that such environments on Earth, like deep mines or ocean floors, often teem with microbial life, suggesting similar possibilities on Mars.

While the seismic data provides strong evidence, it is not definitive proof of liquid water. Alternative explanations, such as unusual rock compositions, could theoretically account for the seismic patterns. To confirm the presence of water, scientists would need direct measurements, likely through drilling—a feat far beyond current technological capabilities on Mars. The depth of the reservoir poses a significant challenge, as even the most advanced rovers, like Perseverance, can only drill a few centimeters into the surface.

Future missions could build on InSight’s findings by deploying more advanced seismic instruments or exploring regions like Cerberus Fossae, where geological activity might bring water closer to the surface. The study also highlights the need for innovative approaches to detect subsurface water, such as electromagnetic surveys or ice-penetrating radar, which have been used to find liquid water beneath Earth’s polar ice caps.

This discovery reshapes our understanding of Mars’ geological and hydrological history. It suggests that the planet may have retained significant water reserves long after its surface oceans vanished billions of years ago. The findings also have implications for future human exploration, as accessing underground water could provide resources for drinking, agriculture, or even fuel production.

As scientists continue to analyze InSight’s data and plan new missions, the prospect of a hidden ocean on Mars opens exciting avenues for research. Whether it holds clues to ancient life or resources for future explorers, this subsurface reservoir underscores the Red Planet’s enduring mysteries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary