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Thursday, May 22, 2025

Discovery of water reservoir on Mars

 Discovery of a water reservoir by an ESA radar On Mars, would cover planet with nine feet of water

Mars holds many curious features, and one of the most intriguing is the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). This enormous stretch of terrain sits near the planet’s equator, exactly where smooth northern plains meet rugged southern highlands. Scientists have puzzled over this place for years because it seems to hide something which might change our understanding of the Red Planet’s past. The exploration of Mars has yielded a ground breaking discovery. The European Space Agency’s Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) has detected an enormous water reservoir beneath the Martian surface, comparable in size to Earth’s Red Sea. This remarkable finding opens new possibilities for future Mars missions and enhances our knowledge of the planet’s hydrological history.

The echoes reveal underground layers which hints at an astounding discovery, and one that is of particular importance to future human settlers on Mars. Thomas Watters, from the Smithsonian Institution, and lead author of both the original and recent studies, sheds light on these recent findings. “We’ve explored the MFF again using newer data from Mars Express’s MARSIS radar, and found the deposits to be even thicker than we thought: up to 2.2 miles (3.7 km) thick,” says Watters. “Excitingly, the radar signals match what we’d expect to see from layered ice, and are similar to the signals we see from Mars’s polar caps, which we know to be very ice rich.” Scientists have identified an extensive ice-rich deposit hidden beneath the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF), a geological structure near Mars’ equator. This water reservoir extends to depths of 2.7 km's, significantly deeper than previous scientific estimates. If melted, this ice deposit could potentially flood the entire Martian surface with approximately 2.7 meters of water. “We revisited the MFF using recent data from Mars Express’ MARSIS radar and discovered the deposits were even thicker than we originally thought,” explained Thomas Watters. The discovery’s significance cannot be overstated, as it provides critical insights into Mars’ capacity to potentially support future human missions.

The implications of this discovery are profound. The ice within the Medusae Fossae Formation, if melted, could envelop the entire planet of Mars in a water layer measuring between 5 and 9 feet deep (1.5 to 2.7 meters). This represents the largest water reservoir discovered in this region of Mars, holding enough water to rival the volume of Earth’s Red Sea. The MFF is a geological marvel, covering hundreds of miles and can tower over a mile high. It sits at the intersection of Mars’s highlands and lowlands, a potential major source of Martian dust and one of the planet’s most expansive deposits. Wind-sculpted ridges, along with a blanket of dust or ash, appear to protect layers of ice from the harsh conditions on modern Mars. Experts believe these vast dust deposits might be the biggest single source of Martian dust, which could mean they shaped the planet’s atmosphere over long periods. The MFF has long puzzled researchers, spanning hundreds of km's and reaching heights exceeding 1.6 km's in some areas. Located at the equatorial region, this formation marks the boundary between Mars’ northern lowlands and southern highlands. The substantial water reservoir beneath this formation represents one of the most significant discoveries which reshapes our understanding of Mars in recent decades.

The initial observations by Mars Express hinted at the icy nature of the Medusae Fossae Formation due to its radar transparency and low density. However, alternative theories proposed that the formation could be a colossal accumulation of windblown dust, volcanic ash or sediment. “Here’s where the new radar data comes in! Given how deep it is, if the MFF was simply a giant pile of dust, we’d expect it to become compacted under its own weight,” says co-author Andrea Cicchetti of the National Institute for Astrophysics, Italy. “This would create something far denser than what we actually see with MARSIS. And when we modelled how different ice-free materials would behave, nothing reproduced the properties of the MFF – we need ice,” Cicchetti concluded. The confirmation of ice within the MFF comes after radar scans revealed a structure with unusual density which remains transparent to radar signals. Scientists now face the challenge of determining when these ice deposits formed and what environmental conditions existed on Mars during that period. Colin Wilson, Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter project scientist at ESA, posed the critical question: “When did these ice deposits form, and what was Mars like during that time?” This question becomes increasingly relevant as we continue developing technologies to potentially visit the Red Planet, similar to how NASA monitors near-Earth objects for planetary defence.

The current understanding of the MFF region suggests a composition of dust and ice layers, topped by a protective layer of dry dust or ash, hundreds of meters thick. Mars, though appearing arid now, shows signs of a water-rich past, including remnants of river channels, ancient ocean beds and water-carved valleys. This discovery of significant ice near Mars’s equator, like that suspected beneath the MFF’s surface, points to a radically different climatic era in the planet’s history. The presence of water resources on Mars represents strategic value for future missions. Astronauts could potentially use Martian water for drinking, oxygen production and even fuel generation, significantly reducing dependency on Earth-supplied materials. While new telescopes reveal distant celestial bodies in our solar system, this discovery brings our attention closer to our planetary neighbour. The MFF’s surface presents significant landing difficulties for space missions. A thick layer of dust or ash covers the ice deposit, creating a complex terrain for spacecraft. However, this dusty covering itself presents unique research opportunities. Scientists believe these dust-rich deposits, sculpted by wind into striking ridges, have influenced Mars’ atmosphere for millions of years. Similar to how Earth’s atmospheric changes are carefully monitored, understanding Mars’ climate history provides crucial comparative data. This discovery confirms previous theories about Mars’ water history, complementing evidence from Martian meteorites found on Earth which indicated past water presence.

If we assume that the dust is 1000 feet thick. In this case, the total volume of water ice contained within the MFF deposits, if it melted, would be enough to cover Mars in an ocean of water 9 feet deep. “This latest analysis challenges our understanding of the Medusae Fossae Formation, and raises as many questions as answers,” says Colin Wilson, ESA project scientist for Mars Express and the ESA ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO). “How long ago did these ice deposits form, and what was Mars like at that time? If confirmed to be water ice, these massive deposits would change our understanding of Mars climate history. Any reservoir of ancient water would be a fascinating target for human or robotic exploration.” This water reservoir discovery will likely influence future Mars mission planning and research priorities. Scientists must now determine the exact composition of these ice deposits and develop strategies to potentially access them despite challenging surface conditions. The find provides important clues about cosmic phenomena and planetary formation. “Each discovery of Martian ice enriches our understanding of the planet’s hydrological history and current water distribution,” stated Wilson. Just as lunar observations reveal surprising geological features, Mars continues to yield unexpected discoveries which reshape planetary science.

For future Mars missions, the discovery of ice at equatorial locations like the Medusae Fossae Formation is invaluable. Missions require landing near the equator, away from the polar caps or high-latitude glaciers, and water is a critical resource. However, Wilson cautions, “The MFF deposits, buried under extensive dust layers, remain out of reach for the time being. Yet, each discovery of Martian ice enriches our understanding of the planet’s hydrological history and current water distribution.” While MARSIS looks deep underground, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) offers a shallower view. TGO’s FREND instrument tracks hydrogen in the topmost three feet of soil. Not long ago, FREND discovered a hydrogen-rich patch the size of the Netherlands inside Mars’s Valles Marineris. The presence of such extensive water resources significantly improves prospects for eventual human settlement on Mars. Throughout human history, water access has determined settlement patterns, and Mars exploration follows this same principle. Just as preserved ancient specimens on Earth provide historical insights, Mars’ water deposits offer a window into the planet’s past. Such findings show how valuable orbiteers can be when searching for water in places which may support future landings. Colin Wilson concludes, “Our collective Mars exploration efforts are progressively unveiling the mysteries of our planetary neighbour, offering glimpses into its past and potential for future exploration.” 

As technology advances and more missions target the Red Planet, our understanding of Mars’ hydrological systems will continue to expand, potentially revealing additional water reservoirs and further transforming our perception of our planetary neighbour. To sum it all up, the Mars Express’ exploration of the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) mark a significant milestone in our understanding of Mars and its climatic history. Mars researchers say there are still many questions about how and when these mysterious formations accumulated their icy layers. The significance is clear, though: abundant ice so far from the poles could reflect a period in Mars’s past when the climate supported large-scale water deposits at different latitudes. Detecting and mapping these resources will be helpful for both science and practical planning. “Together, our Mars explorers are revealing more and more about our planetary neighbour,” adds Colin.

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