Water Changed the Face of Mars More Than Once... New Evidence from NASA

Water Changed the Face of Mars

Water Changed the Face of Mars More Than Once... New Evidence from NASA

The question of whether life exists on Mars has long been a concern for scientists and researchers around the world, as the Red Planet is viewed as the most likely candidate for hosting extraterrestrial life.

For decades, space agencies, led by NASA, have sought to gather evidence and signs that might prove that Mars was never a completely barren planet, but rather experienced environments and conditions that might have supported life at various stages of its history. In a new development, NASA's Mars rover has revealed evidence suggesting that the Red Planet experienced several periods of water flow, creating conditions that may have supported life, according to a report published by the British newspaper, the Daily Mail.

20 Types of Minerals

Scientists have identified nearly 20 types of minerals that reveal a dynamic history of volcanic rocks that were altered by interactions with liquid water in the Jezero Crater. They said this indicates that the crater hosted habitable environments on more than one occasion.

The water altered the chemical composition of the rocks to salts and clay minerals, revealing three distinct phases of fluid activity:

• The first involved highly acidic, hot water in limited locations, which was harsh and less hospitable to life.

• The second formed in mild, neutral conditions, providing more favorable environments over a wider area.

• The third created widespread, low-temperature, alkaline conditions, considered highly favorable for life.

“The minerals we find at Jezero support several distinct periods of fluid-induced alteration,” explained Rice University graduate student and study leader Eleanor Morland. “This suggests that there were multiple times in Mars’ history when these volcanic rocks interacted with liquid water, and therefore more than one time when this location hosted potentially habitable environments.”

Three Groups of Minerals

The first group of minerals, such as greenalite, hysingerite, and ferroaluminosella dunite, formed in hot, acidic waters confined to the crater floor. The second group of minerals formed in temperate and near-neutral waters, creating more favorable conditions for life and covering a larger area of ​​the crater.

Minnesite, a clay mineral, was found on the crater floor and in the upper fan region, while clinoptilolite, a zeolite, occurred only on the crater floor. The third group formed in low-temperature alkaline conditions, which are considered highly habitable from an Earth perspective. Sepiolite, a common alteration mineral on Earth, formed in temperate and alkaline conditions and was widespread throughout the explored areas.

Habitable Conditions

The abundance of this mineral indicates an extensive period of liquid water, which created habitable conditions and filled sediments across Jezero Crater. Jezero Crater, a 28-mile-wide area on Mars, has been a focus of exploration for NASA's Perseverance rover since its landing in February 2021, searching for signs of ancient life. Evidence collected by the rover has confirmed that the crater was once home to an ancient lake and river delta, with discoveries including unusual rock formations and organic molecules.

Recent research has indicated that conditions suitable for life may have existed multiple times throughout Mars' history. The findings also demonstrate that Jezero, once the site of an ancient lake, has experienced a complex and dynamic history of hydrological activity. Each new mineral discovery not only brings scientists closer to understanding whether Mars once supported life, but also guides Perseverance in selecting samples to collect for potential return to Earth.