We already know that in the past on the Red Planet it was possible to observe not just water, but whole lakes and the ocean. Therefore, researchers hope that such an environment could be a great place for the emergence of Martian life. In favor of this, and a new study.
Scientists from the Institute of Planetology (Tucson, Arizona) studied the area of the planet, located near a large volcanic plateau. They found that the circulation of water under the surface helps to create some of the largest lakes on Mars.
It is believed that these pools could alternately fill with lava and water for hundreds of millions of years. Temperature intervals, combined with the presence of water and other nutrients, create the best place for the development of life on the Red Planet. That is, in the past these were warm Martian lakes. But we know that life feels particularly comfortable in a temperate climate. Of course, now these locations are immersed in harsh conditions due to low temperature conditions and a thin atmospheric layer. But in the past these lakes could be inhabited and resemble lakes in Tibet.
View of the Martian lakes and analogue of lakes on the Tibetan plateau. The arrows mark similar ridges surrounding the pool bottom.
In collaboration with the Chinese government, researchers plan to visit the Tibetan region in the near future and get acquainted with the local lakes that can give hints to understanding the ancient Martian formations. Researchers are still unable to say with certainty whether life existed on Mars. However, with each new discovery, we are getting closer to the truth.
