Ancient Mars May Have Had Hydrothermal Systems

Feb 22, 2024 by News Staff

The history of water on Mars is a puzzle that is of interest to planetary scientists as well as the general public. The Red Planet currently has water in the form of ice at the poles, trace amounts of gas in the atmosphere, and an unknown amount beneath the surface as ground water, bound in minerals, and in ice. However, there is strong evidence that ancient Mars may have had long-lived streams, rivers, and lakes. There is still much to learn about what Mars was like and how it transformed over time. One approach is to study the inventory of water at different times. Now, NASA’s Perseverance rover has found hydrated magnesium sulfate (similar to Epsom salts) and dehydrated calcium sulfate that were formed by water flowing through cracks in volcanic rocks at the bottom of the 3.8-billion-year-old Jezero crater. These hydrated minerals trap water within themselves and record the history of how and when they formed. Returning samples of these minerals to Earth would allow researchers to explore the history of Mars’ water and climate, and possibly evidence of ancient life with the most sensitive instruments possible.



Jezero crater, Mars. Image credit: NASA / Tim Goudge.

Planetary scientists suspect Mars once had long-lived rivers, lakes and streams.

Today, water on Mars is found in ice at the poles and trapped below the Martian surface.

In new research, University of Cincinnati’s Dr. Andy Czaja and his colleagues revealed that the planet also may have had hydrothermal systems based on the hydrated magnesium sulfate the rover identified in the volcanic rocks.

“When those rocks cool off and fracture, they become a habitable environment for life,” Dr. Czaja said.

“We have not found any definitive evidence of life in these deposits yet. But if there were fossil microorganisms trapped in the rocks, they would be too small to see with the rover.”

“These hydrated minerals trap water within themselves and record the history of how and when they formed.”

“Returning samples of these minerals to Earth would allow researchers to explore the history of Mars’ water and climate and possibly evidence of ancient life with the most sensitive instruments possible.”

More:
https://www.sci.news/space/ancient-mars-hydrothermal-systems-12713.html