What is novel about the recent analysis of water on Mars using seismology data?
Context Recent studies have suggested the presence of liquid water on Mars, particularly in the form of brine within ice caps. However, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has used seismology data to find evidence of liquid water in the Martian crust, specifically in fractured igneous rock. This discovery raises questions about the novelty of this finding compared to previous evidence and its implications for understanding water on Mars. Simple Answer The new study used seismology, listening to vibrations in the Martian ground, to detect liquid water trapped within fractured rock. This is different from previous studies that found liquid brine in ice caps using radar data. The location of the water in the Martian crust, not just under the ice caps, suggests water could be more widespread on Mars than previously thought. This finding opens new doors for investigation into the conditions and prevalence of water on Mars. The new technique, s...