NEW DELHI: New research revealed that an ancient mud lake with sediments is an apt place to look for evidence of life on Mars, the Universe Today reported.
It is for this reason, among others, that Nasa’s Perseverance rover is in Jezero Crater, the location of an ancient paleolake where sediment layers may reach a depth of one km.
According to the researchers, “The quest for past Martian life hinges on locating surface formations linked to ancient habitability.”
Massive outflow channels that transported material from Mars’ Southern Highlands into its Northern Lowlands, to the east of Valles Marineris, is one area that has drawn interest.
The paper- Exploring the evidence of Middle Amazonian aquifer sedimentary outburst residues in a Martian chaotic terrain- published in Nature Scientific, however, says that it might be a mistake.
Scientists should concentrate on the source of the sediments rather than the area where the sediments poured into, it cites.
“Venturing into the northern plains for sampling could prove precarious, as distinguishing between materials sourced from the aquifers and those eroded and transported during channel formation could become an intricate task,” said Alexis Rodriguez, the lead author of the paper.
“The plains, situated within Hydraotes Chaos, offer a unique glimpse into ancient aquifer materials. These plains, which we think formed from mud extruding into a basin directly above their source aquifer, provide a more targeted exploration opportunity,” Rodriguez added.
Highlighting a new perspective into the Martian past, Rodriguez said, “Unlike vast flood channels with their complex erosion patterns, this finding simplifies the examination of Martian aquifers, reducing the risk of overland sedimentary acquisition, and opens a new window into Mars’ geological past.”
“Our research focuses on a sedimentary unit within Hydraotes Chaos, which we interpret to be the remnants of a mud lake formed by discharges from gas-charged mudstone stratigraphy dating back to nearly 4 billion years ago, a time when the surface of Mars was likely habitable. These sediments might harbor evidence of life from that or subsequent periods,” said Rodriguez.
“It is important to remember that the subsurface of Mars might have included habitability lasting the duration of life’s history on Earth,” added Rodriguez.
It is for this reason, among others, that Nasa’s Perseverance rover is in Jezero Crater, the location of an ancient paleolake where sediment layers may reach a depth of one km.
According to the researchers, “The quest for past Martian life hinges on locating surface formations linked to ancient habitability.”
Massive outflow channels that transported material from Mars’ Southern Highlands into its Northern Lowlands, to the east of Valles Marineris, is one area that has drawn interest.
The paper- Exploring the evidence of Middle Amazonian aquifer sedimentary outburst residues in a Martian chaotic terrain- published in Nature Scientific, however, says that it might be a mistake.
Scientists should concentrate on the source of the sediments rather than the area where the sediments poured into, it cites.
“Venturing into the northern plains for sampling could prove precarious, as distinguishing between materials sourced from the aquifers and those eroded and transported during channel formation could become an intricate task,” said Alexis Rodriguez, the lead author of the paper.
“The plains, situated within Hydraotes Chaos, offer a unique glimpse into ancient aquifer materials. These plains, which we think formed from mud extruding into a basin directly above their source aquifer, provide a more targeted exploration opportunity,” Rodriguez added.
Highlighting a new perspective into the Martian past, Rodriguez said, “Unlike vast flood channels with their complex erosion patterns, this finding simplifies the examination of Martian aquifers, reducing the risk of overland sedimentary acquisition, and opens a new window into Mars’ geological past.”
“Our research focuses on a sedimentary unit within Hydraotes Chaos, which we interpret to be the remnants of a mud lake formed by discharges from gas-charged mudstone stratigraphy dating back to nearly 4 billion years ago, a time when the surface of Mars was likely habitable. These sediments might harbor evidence of life from that or subsequent periods,” said Rodriguez.
“It is important to remember that the subsurface of Mars might have included habitability lasting the duration of life’s history on Earth,” added Rodriguez.
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