Mars Might Have a Lot More Water Than We Knew

zigzag3143 · Jun 22, 2012

Researchers have discovered evidence that there's a lot more water on Mars--at least on parts of Mars--than anyone previously thought. Using new technology, scientists examined the water content in meteorites from the planet, and it points to a lot of it in the Martian mantle.
The meteorites they studied are called shergottite meteorites, and they likely broke off from Mars about 2.5 million years ago. Even though the meteorites had a different elemental composition, the amount of water was consistent, bolstering the idea that they're representative of the planet as a whole.

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-06/mars-might-have-lot-more-water-we-thought

JMH · Jun 22, 2012

Extensive Water in Mars's Interior

[FONT=geneva,arial,verdana][SIZE=-1]Until now, Earth was the only planet known to have vast reservoirs of water in its interior. Scientists analyzed the water content of two Martian meteorites originating from inside the Red Planet. They found that the amount of water in places of the Martian mantle is vastly larger than previous estimates and is similar to that of Earth's. The results not only affect what we know about the geologic history of Mars, but also have implications for how water got to the Martian surface. The data raise the possibility that Mars could have sustained life.

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http://www.astrobiology.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=37540

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Mars Might Have a Lot More Water Than We Knew

zigzag3143

Contributor, Sysnative Staff Emeritus

JMH

Emeritus, Contributor