Hidden life in Mars' gigantic underground ocean?

Beneath the surface of Mars, a recent discovery could revolutionize our understanding of the red planet: geophysicists have identified a vast reservoir of water hidden miles below the Martian crust. This discovery, made possible through seismic data from NASA's InSight lander, raises questions about the potential for extraterrestrial life.


This reservoir, trapped within a layer of fractured rocks between 7 and 12 miles (11.5 and 20 kilometers) below the surface, contains enough water to cover Mars with a layer more than half a mile (over a kilometer) thick. However, accessing this water remains a colossal challenge, even with the most advanced Earth technologies.

Researchers believe this reservoir might harbor conditions favorable to life. On Earth, life forms have been discovered in extreme environments, such as deep mines or ocean floors. Therefore, this Martian underground water could potentially host life forms, although none have been found yet.

Mars shows traces of ancient river networks and lakes, suggesting it was once rich in water. However, about 3.5 billion years ago, a climatic shift led to the planet's drying. The reasons for this rapid transformation remain unclear, but several hypotheses are being explored, including the loss of Mars' magnetic field or the impact of an asteroid.

To better understand this phenomenon, scientists utilized mathematical models to map the planet's interior. The results indicate that Mars' water did not evaporate into space but was absorbed by the Martian crust, forming these underground oceans.

While this discovery opens new avenues for the search for life on Mars, accessing this hidden ocean is beyond the current technical capabilities of humanity. Nevertheless, the quest continues with other Martian missions, such as the Perseverance rover.