SINGAPORE: A study released on Monday, using data from NASA’s Mars InSight lander, found evidence of for liquid water underground reservoir deep below Mars’ surface. This discovery advances the search for life on Mars and sheds light on what may have happened to its ancient oceans.

The InSight lander, which has been on Mars since 2018, collected seismic data over four years, examining how quakes affected the ground and what materials lie beneath. The study suggests that large reservoirs of liquid water are located 11.5 to 20 kilometres below the surface. This water might be enough to fill the hypothesised ancient oceans of Mars.

The study highlights that, if these findings are correct, Mars has the essential ingredients for life, similar to Earth, where life exists deep underground in water-rich environments. The researchers believe that water could have seeped from the surface to deep underground when Mars was warmer.

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While direct study of this deep water on Mars is not possible, the findings help us understand Mars’ water cycle, the fate of its past surface water, and could aid in future missions exploring Mars’ potential for life and resource use.