Ocean of water lies beneath Mars’s surface, news study suggests

A new study reveals that significant amounts of water may lie hidden beneath Mars’s surface, potentially forming an ocean, Al-Jazeera reported yesterday.

The discovery stems from seismic data collected by NASA’s Mars InSight lander, which recorded over 1,300 marsquakes before ceasing operations in 2022. Researchers combined these seismic readings with computer models, concluding that underground water is the most plausible explanation for the observed seismic activity. The water is believed to be trapped in fractures 11.5 to 20 kilometers deep, remnants from a time when Mars had rivers and lakes.

Lead scientist Vashan Wright from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography noted that if InSight’s findings are representative of Mars, the underground water could create a global ocean 1-2 kilometers deep. While this ancient water hints at the potential for microbial life, further exploration using drills and advanced equipment is necessary to confirm its presence and search for signs of life.