VOA科学技术2024--New Study Suggests Mars Has Large Underground Ocean

A new study provides evidence that Mars contains a large ocean deep beneath its surface.

The finding is based on data collected by the InSight Lander, a robotic explorer operated by the American space agency NASA. InSight, which landed in 2018, was designed to capture data from within the planet's interior. The lander ended its operations on Mars in late 2022.

For the current study, researchers used seismic¹ data collected by InSight. The team examined the data to study Martian quake activity. Seismic activity on Mars happens in the form of "marsquakes." NASA says InSight had recorded more than 1,300 marsquakes.

The device InSight uses to measure ground movements is called a seismometer. NASA specially² designed the lander and its instruments to be extremely sensitive for the Martian environment. The seismic data suggests liquid water exists deep beneath the ground where InSight operated from.

Since water is considered necessary to support life, scientists say the presence of it on Mars leaves open the possibility that some form of life might exist, or existed there in the past.

Numerous past studies have also provided evidence that liquid water could exist on Mars. Scientists have already uncovered evidence that about 3 billion years ago, the surface of Mars likely had an active system of lakes, rivers and oceans

Mars is believed to have lost its surface water as its atmosphere thinned. This likely turned the planet into the dry, dusty world it is today. Scientists have theorized that much of the ancient water escaped out into space or remained buried under the surface.

Water below Martian crust

Vashan Wright is an assistant professor of Geophysics at the University of California San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He helped lead the research. Wright told The Associated Press the data suggests liquid water sits between 11 to 20 kilometers down in the Martian crust. He added that the water likely moved down from the surface billions of years ago when water is believed to have flowed freely on Mars.

The researchers combined computer models with the seismic data collected by InSight to reach their findings. They said the data showed the water is likely contained in a deep layer of igneous³ rock beneath the Martian surface. Igneous rock is formed from magma, a very hot liquid rock that has cooled.

Wright and his team recently reported their results in a study published in Proceedings⁴ of the National Academy of Sciences.

In a statement to Reuters news agency, Wright said, "On Earth what we know is where it is wet enough and there are enough sources of energy, there is microbial life very deep in Earth's subsurface." He added that the data suggests "the ingredients for life as we know it" may exist in the Martian subsurface.

The researchers said the InSight lander operated around the planet's Elysium Planitia area, near the equator. They believe the area is representative of the rest of Mars. The study suggests enough water exists below the surface to form a planet-wide ocean about 1 to 2 kilometers deep.

Better understanding of Martian water cycles

There is currently no way to confirm the study's suggested existence of liquid water because it sits so far beneath the Martian surface. Such a confirmation⁵ would require large drills and other specialized⁶ equipment.

But Wright said in a statement that for now, researchers can use the newly examined data to gain a better understanding of Martian water cycles. This can help scientists improve their knowledge about the planet's climate as well as the development of the Martian surface and interior. Wright noted⁷ the latest findings could also help guide researchers in where to look for further evidence of possible life forms on Mars.

"I'm inspired and I hope the public is also inspired," Wright said about the study results. "Humans can work together to put instruments on a planet... and try to understand what's going on there."

Words in This Story

interior - n. the inside part of something

seismic - adj. relating to or caused by an earthquake

crust - n. a hard, dry layer of the surface of something

layer - n. an amount of something covering a surface

ingredient - n. a part of something that makes it successful

drill - v. to use a tool or machine to make holes in a hard substance

cycle - n. a series of events that happen in a particular order and are often repeated

inspire - v. to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it

1 seismic   

a.地震的，地震强度的

参考例句：

• Earthquakes produce two types of seismic waves.地震产生两种地震波。
• The latest seismic activity was also felt in northern Kenya.肯尼亚北部也感觉到了最近的地震活动。

2 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

3 igneous   

adj.火的，火绒的

参考例句：

• Igneous rocks do not contain fossils.火成岩不含化石。
• The rocks here are igneous and do not fracture along predictable lines.这儿的石头都是火成岩，石头的裂缝极不规则。

4 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

5 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

6 specialized   

adj.专门的，专业化的

参考例句：

• There are many specialized agencies in the United Nations.联合国有许多专门机构。
• These tools are very specialized.这些是专用工具。

7 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。