Scientists have identified traces of boiling water on the surface of the Red Planet. This discovery will allow even better understanding of many aspects associated with the history of Mars.
The results of the new study are presented by the publication Nature Geoscience. The attention of scientists representing the University of Nantes was the unusual black footprints on the surface of the Martian hills. Previously, NASA stated that they could have been left behind by salt water. However, new experiments carried out in a special chamber simulating Martian conditions allowed a deeper understanding of the situation.
Earlier, researcher Alfred McEwen and colleagues have already noticed unusual emissions from light rocks surrounding dark stripes. In addition, scientists are interested in their strange appearance and cliffs in the lower parts of the slopes. As part of the experiment, experts observed the interaction of melt water and sand deposits. To do this, a piece of ice was placed on top of an experimental hill, after which the researchers examined the consequences of its melting in conditions that mimic the surface of Mars.
The results were quite unexpected: as it turned out, "Martian" water will not only flow down the hill, but also boil at the same time. During the experiment, one could see an active process of evaporation, during which sand grains were scattered, and this, in turn, caused various processes, in particular, landslides. As a result, in laboratory conditions, black stripes were obtained, almost indistinguishable from the Martian ones. The described phenomena, according to scientists, can explain the appearance of other features of the relief of the Red Planet.
Dark stripes on the slopes of Garhi crater
Photo: NASA
Earlier, we recall, NASA experts announced the discovery of liquid water on Mars, which has a high salt content. More specifically, we are talking about a hydrated mineral containing a liquid. This discovery became extremely important, since before that scientists assumed the existence of water on Mars only in a frozen form - in the form of ice, which makes up the polar caps of the Red Planet.
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It has also been suggested that the Martian polar caps may hide rather large relict lakes of liquid and salt water.
If we talk about the possibility of the emergence of life, then any water on the surface of the Red Planet is too salty and acidic to support life, similar to Earth. Meanwhile, various specialists have been developing projects for terraforming Mars and relocating part of people there for a long time.
