Photo: Sand dunes at the mouth of the Martian channel (photo NASA / JPL / University of Arizona).
Lakes of liquid water may still be found just a few meters below the surface of Mars
The hypothesis is based on data from a study of the largest channels of the Red Planet that cut through the Chryse Plain. They are believed to have been formed by enormous streams of water apparently flowing from underground sources, a hint that groundwater reservoirs were once widespread in the upper crust. Indeed, rock falls at the bottom of the canals indicate the location of ancient reservoirs.
Thermal modeling, carried out by an international team of scientists led by Alexis Palmero Rodriguez from the Institute of Planetary Sciences (USA), showed that under several tens of meters of porous fine-grained rock, a thermal anomaly could exist, where water can remain in a stable state.
Scientists note that the current rate of heat transfer between the inner part of the planet and the surface is four times lower than 3 billion years ago, when the channels were formed. Consequently, today's water reserves must lie four times deeper than then. Researchers estimate a depth of 120 m, which is quite accessible, especially since the water is hiding under loose rock.
The authors of the work draw an analogy between hypothetical Martian reservoirs and aquifers lying under permafrost on Earth. This means that for water exploration, you can use earthly methods, that is, look for salt layers and glaciers.
It is possible that in such reservoirs life could have arisen, which learned to do without sunlight …
The research results are published in the Icarus journal. Based on materials from National Geographic.
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