New research reveals that Mars may have had habitable conditions long ago, based on evidence found in a 4.45 billion-year-old meteorite.
A team of scientists from Curtin University uncovered geochemical markers inside a Martian zircon grain, suggesting the presence of hot water on Mars during its early history.
This discovery, published in Science Advances, provides a new perspective on the planet's potential to support life.
The team studied the Martian meteorite NWA7034, also known as Black Beauty, which contains a zircon grain that dates back to the planet's ancient past. Using advanced nano-scale imaging and spectroscopy techniques, they detected patterns of elements like iron, aluminum, yttrium, and sodium in the zircon.
These elements, incorporated into the zircon as it formed, indicate that water was present during early volcanic activity on Mars. According to Dr. Aaron Cavosie, a co-author of the study, this discovery is significant because it highlights the potential for water-rich fluids to have existed on Mars around the time it was forming its crust.
Study: Mars' Ancient Hydrothermal Systems Could Have Supported Life
"Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth," said Dr. Cavosie, according to PHYS.
"Our findings suggest Mars had water, a key ingredient for habitability, during its earliest history." These water-rich fluids could have played a crucial role in creating conditions suitable for life.
The study also sheds light on the impact history of Mars. Dr. Cavosie noted that while the planet's surface has been severely disrupted by meteorite impacts, the zircon grain shows signs of having been shocked by a meteorite impact as far back as 4.45 billion years ago. This "shocked zircon" was identified in a 2022 study, marking it as the first known example from Mars.
This research offers valuable insights into Mars' past, suggesting that the planet's early crust may have been shaped by both volcanic and water activity. It opens new possibilities for understanding the ancient Martian environment and its potential to host life. The findings also highlight the importance of studying meteorites as a way to learn more about planets outside our solar system.
